Maori Party reaffirms its support for children

July 9, 2009

Maori Party supports rights for children and opposes any violence

Funny video: Your guide to the anti-smacking bill

June 17, 2009

For your viewing pleasure, we present the following light-hearted look at the passage and implications of the Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Act 2007.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/sDFl83TNagM" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Note that this video was posted to YouTube in March 2008 as a university project well before a date was set for the referendum by a student, and contains a couple of inaccuracies:

• The Timaru lady didn’t use a horsewhip, it was a riding crop, which is an implement used for whipping horses.  Just to be clear – we wouldn’t want people to think that we were exaggerating the facts.
• You don’t need to worry about going to jail for lightly smacking your own child; no-one has been sent to jail for that.  On the other hand, if you smack your wife or your boss – watch out, there’s a future for you at Paremoremo.

Did you think this video was funny and informative?  Send it to your friends!

Gabriel Pollard: only 20 percent of people oppose the Child Discipline Law

June 3, 2009

The repeal of Section 59 from the Crimes Act in New Zealand has only 20% of New Zealanders opposing it. The often dubbed “anti-smacking law” removed the right for adults to use “reasonable force” to discipline their children.

43% of thosse  surveyed by UMR on behalf of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner responded positively to the anti-smacking law, 28% opposed; the rest were neutral. However, when asked the question, “Should children be entitled to the same protection from assault as adults?”, 80% said that they should. Lobby group Family First NZ is dismayed at this figure. National Director Bob McCoskrie said, “This figure should be 100%. But the Children’s Commissioner has simply caused confusion by misrepresenting the effect of the law and the difference between assault and a light smack.”

The Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act 2007 is fairly well known by the public, but specifics weren’t as well publicised. Perhaps this is why there has been a citizens’ initiated referendum (well over 200,000 eligible voters signed a petition supporting smacking). Children’s Commissioner Dr Cindy Kiro said, “Many parents are ready to move on and find positive ways of parenting that involve discipline without violence, so there needs to be support for that with information and education.”

In 1993 a survey was conducted around the theme, “is it alright to use physical punishment with children” which resulted in 87% agreeing. In 2008, it was at a recorded 58%.

The referendum is open to all eligible New Zealand voters will be held in August via postal vote.

—
Gabriel Pollard is a Journalism student in Christchurch who writes for Wikinews and blogs at Bird’s Eye News.

Cindy Kiro talks about “an effective law”

April 11, 2009

The Wellingtonian interviewed retiring Children’s Commissioner Cindy Kiro this week, who commented on the child discipline debate…

Wellingtonian: How important was Sue Bradford’s so-called anti-smacking bill?

Kiro: The debate was important. And it has proved to be an effective law. In the three six-month periods since it became law, the police have said they are not prosecuting more people, so, contrary to some fears, people are not being criminalised. But the law has had an effect. I don’t see people screaming and yelling and hitting their kids at places like supermarkets. I do see people talking to their kids and using other strategies for discipline.

Read the whole interview on Stuff.co.nz.