21 May 2009

Parents Centres NZ Inc Welcomes Verdict In Child “Face-Punch” Case

The guilty verdict in the Christchurch case of a father who punched his child in the face is clearly the right outcome says Viv Gurrey Chief Executive Officer, Parents Centres NZ Inc.

“This incident was minimalised as ‘ear flicking’ to discredit the 2007 changes to Section 59 of the Crimes Act 1961, which provided parents a defence for physical punishment, and to misinform NZ parents in a shameful manner” says Gurrey. Parents Centres has, and continues to support the section 59 reforms and has been a strong advocate for both the original repeal and also for support for parents who require assistance with alternative forms of discipline to hitting.

"This case can now be seen in a clear and factual manner for what it is - a serious assault on a child, a punch in the face and not the misinformation disseminated by those who chose to use this case to support their own cause – to oppose the law and mislead the general public into believing that good parents are being criminalised”.

The new child discipline legislation makes it clearer for judges and juries. Justice is no longer frustrated by the statutory defence previously available to parents.

"However, this incident clearly outlines why it remains so important that New Zealand law clearly opposes violent parenting practices as not only unnecessary and ultimately ineffective, but also damaging for children and family relationships."

ENDS

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