MEDIA RELEASE

20 July 2011

Family First NZ says that lawyers have sent a clear warning to parents regarding the anti-smacking law – that parenting is now a risky business and parents should always seek legal advice when facing complaints about smacking, no matter how reasonable or appropriate they believe their actions to be.

“One of the sad aspects of the anti-smacking law is that it has done nothing to stop our horrendous rates of child abuse, but it has put good parents at the risk of criminalization for what is appropriate and non-abusive parenting, This has been backed up by the concerns expressed by, and experiences of, legal professionals,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ. “Anecdotal evidence received by Family First always backs up these concerns.”

“Prominent Wellington Barrister Greg King says that a smack, no matter how light, could certainly amount in law to an assault, whether or not it is justified or not depends on all of the relevant circumstances, but I repeat a parent who smacks a child risks being charged. This is in direct conflict to the assurances of the Prime Minister to kiwi parents.”

“Napier Barrister Phillip Ross warns that the prosecutor’s discretion not to charge does not give the Court a similar discretion.

Auckland lawyer John Cagney says that not only is s59 expressed in such a way that prediction of outcome from particular action is impossible but the outcome is often dependent on the sympathies and prejudices of many of the officials involved in the prosecution and court process.”

“Wellington lawyer Michael Bott reiterates what all the lawyers have recommended – that no matter whether the parent thinks the actions were justified and reasonable, they should get legal advice before they open their mouth to police or CYF, and says we’ve got good parents who are being caught up. And that’s extremely sad. But it’s what we predicted,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“New Plymouth lawyer Barry Henderson says this regrettable situation has lead to incredible confusion with decent parents. And Auckland Barrister Evgeny Orlov warns that the anti-smacking legislation is the tip of an iceberg. The law allows the State to take away your children even if you show unacceptable levels of anger let alone smacking them.”

“It is disappointing that parenting in NZ has become a legal minefield because the politicians have failed to tackle the real causes of child abuse and have instead criminalized good and non-abusive parenting practice,” says Mr McCoskrie.

The full advice for parents is on the recently released www.protectgoodparents.org.nz website under “legal advice for parents’.

ENDS

For More Information and Media Interviews, contact Family First:

Bob McCoskrie – National Director

Mob. 027 55 555 42

Sign up now to received FREE email updates of issues affecting families – be informed! http://www.familyfirst.org.nz/index.cfm/Sign_Up

MEDIA RELEASE

17 July 2011

Website Launched to Protect Good Families From Smacking Law

Family First NZ has launched a website to give support to good families who are at risk of police and CYF intervention because of the anti-smacking law.

“The politicians entered every family home in 2007 with an attitude of ‘we know best’ and removed the right of good Kiwi parents to raise their children as they see fit in a reasonable and non-abusive way,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

“Despite assurances to the contrary, families have been torn apart, accused of lying and dragged through the courts with disturbing results.”

The website www.protectgoodparents.org.nz features the just-released documentary “My Mummy’s A Criminal” which highlights five families who have been criminalised as a result of the anti-smacking law.

The new website also has additional resources for families including legal advice for parents from six lawyers, the experience of parents, why the Prime Minister’s ‘Latta’ review was flawed, the research on why smacking is not child abuse, and what the real causes are.

“Parenting in New Zealand has been put on trial. The politicians have dealt a heavy legislative blow to parents, and parents are feeling disempowered, disrespected, and demonised as child abusers.”

“We all desperately want to tackle our unacceptable rates of child abuse. But it’s time we targeted rotten and dysfunctional parents where children really are at risk, rather than good parents who are simply trying to raise great kids. We should be supporting good parents – not criminalising them,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“Ex-Prime Minister Helen Clark was quite right when she said that a ban on smacking would defy human nature. This website will protect good kiwi parents until the politicians see fit to amend a law which has been labelled by the current Prime Minister John Key as a ‘dog’s breakfast’.”

ENDS

For More Information and Media Interviews, contact Family First:

Bob McCoskrie – National Director

Mob. 027 55 555 42

Sign up now to received FREE email updates of issues affecting families – be informed! http://www.familyfirst.org.nz/index.cfm/Sign_Up