the referendum(b).
def: lacking intelligence or good judgment; stupid; dull-witted.

Preliminary results indicate ‘No’ to a dumb question. Better to have asked “should children have the same protection under the Law as adults?”

21 August 2009, AUCKLAND: Even ‘No’ vote campaigners must surely know deep down the recent referendum was a farce.

The question was so badly worded and related only vaguely to the repeal of Section 59 of the Crimes Act. Voters had an impossible time of figuring out actually what they were voting on. Many voters were known to abstain, either because of not knowing how to vote on a confusing question, or because John Key had already announced that the outcome of the referendum would not mean a change in the law.

shine* supports the position of John Key and his Government to wait for the outcome of the review of the legislation change before making any decisions about whether and how the current law needs to change.

“All indications are that the current law is working well. What a relief to know that the current law means children now have the same right to be safe from violence as adults and animals. There should never be a defence for parents to be violent towards their children. Let’s keep it that way.” says Jill Proudfoot, Client Services Director of shine*
ENDS

shine* provides:
 Free National Helpline to assist callers with a range of professional support services including risk assessment, safety planning, information, advocacy and referrals
 24 Hour professional crisis and advocacy support for child and adult victims of domestic violence
 Refuge accommodation on the North Shore, Auckland
 Child Crisis Team - for children distressed by witnessing violence in their homes who are often also at risk of being assaulted themselves
 No Excuses - a stopping violence programme to help educate men who use abusive and violent behaviour
 Local inter-agency network coordination to ensure our services work together to keep people safe
 Safe @ Home programme - to secure the homes of victims with replacement solid wood doors, window locks, security lighting and silent, personal alarm systems
 Domestic violence awareness and professional training programmes - for volunteers, tertiary students, professionals (i.e. police, social workers, health professionals, teachers etc) and community groups
 Workplace Trust & Support – programme that shows how to positively address bullying and domestic violence in the workplace

ends

© Scoop Media