Parents’ worst fears have come true as, contrary to reports to date, it appears parents have been criminalised for lightly smacking their children as a result of Section 59 – the anti-smacking law, ACT MP John Boscawen said today.
“The latest issue of ‘Investigate’ raises serious doubts about the review into the anti-smacking law, which was conducted by clinical psychologist Nigel Latta, assisted by Police Commissioner Howard Broad and Social Development Ministry head Peter Hughes,” Mr Boscawen said.
“The article asserts that the review was grossly misleading and, in some cases, completely incorrect. In one case the report cites a father convicted of common assault for allegedly striking his daughter with a telephone book and punching her in the side of the head after she wagged school. Yet the report fails to mention these allegations were never substantiated and the father was charged with assault after admitting to smacking his daughter’s leg with an open hand.
“In another case, a daughter alleged her father punched her in the face and mouth three times. The Latta report claimed that, following the police investigation, the father was convicted of assault and discharged on condition of counselling sessions – yet official police records show he was discharged without conviction and police agreed that no punching had occurred.
“The Latta report was used as justification that the law works and doesn’t need to be changed. But how can parents – let alone the Government – put their faith in a report that appears to contain so many inaccuracies?
“Prime Minister John Key promised that parents would be able to lightly smack their child without fear of investigation or prosecution. The ‘Investigate’ report shows otherwise.
“It’s time the Government stopped wasting taxpayers’ money on flawed reviews. Mr Key promised to amend the law if good parents were being criminalised. He must honour that pledge and adopt my Private Member’s Bill to amend the law so that lightly smacking for the purpose of correction is no longer a crime,” Mr Boscawen said
Tags: anti-smacking