Good parents are being criminalised and children are still being killed as a result of horrendous physical abuse – it is time for this miscarriage of justice to end, ACT New Zealand MP John Boscawen said today.
“My Crimes (Reasonable Parental Control and Correction) Amendment Private Member’s Bill will amend the flawed anti-smacking law and remove Government intrusion from good parents’ lives,” Mr Boscawen said.
“The vast majority of parents are decent and loving, and would never dream of abusing their children. Yet, under this ill-thought legislation, they are committing an offence by lightly smacking their child for doing wrong.
“No one wants to see a return to the situation that existed prior to the current law, when a parent could beat their child with a riding crop and escape conviction. But my Bill specifically sets out the conditions that a light smack for the purpose of correction can be used stating that the use of force is defined as unreasonable:
‘ if it should cause the child to suffer injury that is no more than transitional or trifling; or it is inflicted with any weapon, tool, or other implement; or it is inflicted in any means that is cruel and degrading.’
“The anti-smacking law was intended to address New Zealand’s shocking rates of child abuse – but abusers already ignored the laws we had prior to this legislation and have not quit their behaviour with the addition of the anti-smacking legislation.
“Now we have a chance to right this wrong and amend a law that targets the wrong people – and which the police do not even have to enforce. From tomorrow until August 21, New Zealanders have an opportunity to have their say and vote in the anti-smacking referendum. I strongly urge them to do so and not miss their chance to exercise their right to democracy,” Mr Boscawen said.
Tags: anti-smacking