Child Sex Offender Register Must Be Made Public

The names of those on the Child Sex Offender Register need to be made available to the general public, says New Zealand First.

“With the Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Register) Bill being presented to the House today, it is high time we gave top priority to the safety of New Zealand children,” says New Zealand First Spokesperson for Social Development, Darroch Ball.

“Why should offenders retain their anonymity and have their rights placed ahead of those of children who as a society we should be protecting?

“To ensure our children’s safety New Zealanders should know who in their neighbourhoods have been convicted of child sex offences and where they live.

“It is essential that the public are able to be the eyes and ears for the police as they manage the register under reducing budgets.

“We believe this register should not be viewed as a punishment for offenders but rather as a way to monitor sexual offenders in our communities,” Mr Ball says.

ENDS

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