Family Integrity

Category: News Media/Press Releases

  • Poll: Smacking shouldn’t be a crime

    Over 80% of New Zealanders believe a smack should not be a criminal offence and just 13% think it should.

    That’s according to a ONE News Colmar Brunton poll.

    The poll found 83% of New Zealanders think it is okay to smack children under certain circumstances.

    Those more likely to say it’s okay under any circumstances were older New Zealanders, over 55, and those living in non-urban areas.

    But one in seven say it’s not acceptable under any circumstances.

    And only a quarter believe the current law is working as it relates to smacking and child discipline.

    Meanwhile, over three quarters of New Zealanders believe the smacking referendum is not a good use of public money.

    The poll found 76% of people polled say the $9 million price tag is unjustified, while 20% say it is.

    The poll sampled 1000 voters and has a margin of error of 3.1%.

  • Smacking Poll: People v Politicians

    MEDIA RELEASE

    3 August 2009

    Smacking Poll: People v Politicians

    Family First NZ says that the latest poll on attitudes to the smacking law is a reminder that the smacking debate is essentially a battle between the huge majority of NZ’ers and the politicians.

    “The One News poll shows 83% opposition to the smacking law, consistent with every other poll done both before the law change and in the two years since,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of the Family First NZ.

    “But our elected representatives are adopting a ‘we know better than you’ attitude and are refusing to listen to the wishes of the NZ public. This is a disgraceful display of democracy, and shows incredible disrespect.”

    “The poll also shows that those who believe that the current law may be working at the moment (25%) still don’t support the law (only 13% voting yes). The government and the police can try to paint a rosy picture on the law but the bottom line is that NZ’ers simply don’t accept it.”

    Family First NZ agree with the 76% who say that the Referendum is not a good use of public money but has been necessitated because of ‘political deafness’ and a cynical postponing of the Referendum from being held at the General Election last year.

    “This whole debate around the anti-smacking law has come down to a battle between the common sense of families and the agenda of politicians and government funded groups,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    “Parents are doing their job 24/7 and the vast majority are doing a brilliant job. It’s time we listened to them on this issue.”

    “Let’s target the real causes of child abuse – not real parents.”

    Summary of polls for the past four years http://www.voteno.org.nz/polls.htm

    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

  • Sheryl Savill and Bob McCoskrie on TVNZ this morning

    Sheryl Savill and Bob McCoskrie

    on TVNZ this morning

    Q+A’s Paul Holmes interviewed Sheryl Savill from Focus on the Family and Family First NZ’s Bob McCoskrie on the smacking referendum this morning on TVNZ.

    You can view the full interview here:
    http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/q-paul-holmes-interviews-cheryl-savill-and-bob-mccroskie-2871394/video

    You can  read the transcript here
    http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/q-paul-holmes-interviews-cheryl-savill-and-bob-mccroskie-2871394

    Got a comment on this issue or like to give us feedback? Email feedback@familyfirst.org.nz

    http://www.familyfirst.org.nz

  • Parents Still Flouting Smacking Law – And Still Opposing It

    MEDIA RELEASE

    25 July 2009

    Parents Still Flouting Smacking Law – And Still Opposing It

    Family First NZ says that the latest research on parental discipline by Digipoll shows that parents are continuing to flout the law and that the opposition to it remains at its high level.

    “Parents are ignoring the law because they simply don’t agree with it and because it is so confusing, but what is most significant in this latest poll is that even parents who choose not to smack are opposed to it being criminalized,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ. “More than a 1/3’rd of parents say they never smack yet only 11% believe it should be a criminal offence.”

    “On the other hand, 61% of mums and 67% of dads admitted that they are completely ignoring the law despite the potential for investigation, intervention and prosecution by CYF and the police.”

    “This research also reaffirms that parents use smacking sparingly (and have done for a number of decades), are experimenting with different parenting techniques, and that the ‘one size fits all’ model is unacceptable to parents. Parents are using different techniques for different children and that is part of the challenge of parenting – finding what works best for that particular child.”

    “The Ministry of Health’s 2006/2007 NZ Health Survey (“A Portrait of Health”) found that telling a child off was the most common form of discipline (62% of parents) yet was considered most effective by only 19% of parents who used it. 40% of parents admitted yelling but only 3.7% considered it most effective, and ‘time out’ was used 50% of the time yet only a 1/3’rd of parents who used it considered it most effective.”

    “Parenting isn’t for cowards but the expectations and laws being placed on parents are sure making it scary,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    “It’s time we acknowledged the difficult role of parenting, and started supporting parents – rather than eyeing them with suspicion and submitting to the organizations who are the self-appointed experts on child rearing,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    “It’s also time we targeted the real causes of child abuse and the rotten parents who are putting their kids at risk.”

    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

  • Of those planning to vote, an overwhelming 85.4 percent said they would vote “no” to the question: “Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2673872/Fewer-parents-smack-today-than-in-past-poll

    Fewer parents smack today than in past – poll

    Last updated 09:44 25/07/2009
    Fewer New Zealand parents smack their children today than in past decades, according to results of a poll released today. A non-binding citizens-initiated referendum on whether smacking should remain a criminal offence is due to held from next Friday to August 21. A Weekend Herald-DigiPoll poll of 200 parents of four-year-olds found that 9 percent of mothers and 8 percent of fathers smacked their children at least one a week. The figures were significantly down from those contained in four surveys by Waikato University psychologists Jane and James Ritchie from 1963 to 1997. The Ritchies found that about half of all parents of four-year-olds through those 3½ decades smacked their children at least once a week. The Digipoll results also show that two-thirds of both mothers and fathers still smack occasionally, despite the law change two years ago banning the use of force against children for the purpose of correction. However, the number who never smacked, which remained below 10 percent in the Ritchies' studies, had jumped to 39 percent of mothers and 33 percent of fathers. The poll also found that 78.5 percent of the parents questioned planned to vote in the referendum, with 14 percent saying they wouldn't be taking part and the rest unsure. Of those planning to vote, an overwhelming 85.4 percent said they would vote "no" to the question: "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?" Only 10.8 percent indicated they would vote "yes". Green MP Sue Bradford, who promoted the 2007 law change, said the fall in the smacking rate was positive. "I think that's a fantastic sign of hope for the future of our nation that there has been such a dramatic shift in the last 12 years," she told the Herald. But Family First New Zealand national director Bob McCoskrie, who is urging a "no" vote at the referendum, said the poll showed that many parents were continuing to flout the law. "Parents are ignoring the law because they simply don't agree with it and because it is so confusing," he said. "But what is most significant in this latest poll is that even parents who choose not to smack are opposed to it being criminalised." - NZPA

  • Kiwis Know the Difference Between Child Abuse and a Smack

    http://yaca.org.nz/?p=19

    Kiwis Know the Difference Between Child Abuse and a Smack

    Media Release
    14 July 2009

    Youth against Child Abuse New Zealand wishes to address the confusion surrounding the disciplinary action of smacking, and anger-driven child abuse. Too often these two actions are considered to be the same, a mistake that is often made by some of the advocates of the new anti-parental correction law.

    Yes Vote; the group that was created to represent the minority who will vote ‘yes’ in the upcoming anti-smacking referendum, are adamant that a light smack for the purpose of child correction is the same as child abuse. They claim, “A ‘yes’ vote is a vote to protect children from assault.”

    YACA believes that there is a great difference between child discipline that is carried out in a loving, controlled way in order to train a child, and child abuse which is the uncontrolled and unacceptable behaviour of angry parents.”

    A smack, given out of love for a child is completely different to beating a child out of anger, and all good parents know the difference,” Says YACA Canterbury Regional spokesperson, Charles Smith.

    YACA is also alarmed that the Yes Vote group are equating ‘physical discipline’ with ‘family violence’, something that the Government has been seeking to address in their ‘Family Violence, it’s not okay’ campaign.

    The Youth of New Zealand know this country has a terrible record on child abuse, but equating physical discipline with child abuse is just not okay as it undermines all the good parents who are trying to raise good citizens.

    “The horrific rate of child abuse in New Zealand has nothing to do with good parental discipline, because the motive for both actions are completely opposite to each other,” Says Mr. Smith. “Child abuse happens when parents lash out at their children in anger, while a smack given for the purpose of correction is given out of love, for the training of the child.”

    The polls have consistently shown since 2005 that more than 80% of the population see that there is a substantial difference between child abuse and child discipline.

    YACA is looking forward to the New Zealand public showing their agreement with this by voting NO in the upcoming referendum.

    ENDS

  • Your tax money is being used to fund support of the anti-smacking law, and to attack the Referendum

    DID YOU KNOW?


    Your tax money is being used to fund support of the


    anti-smacking law, and to attack the Referendum


    Government funded organisations are working and spending overtime pushing the anti-smacking law, attacking the Referendum, and promoting a yes-vote.

    Following on from the Families Commission last week, and ongoing lobbying from the Children’s Commissioner and government-funded groups like Barnardos and Plunket , the latest example is the Human Rights Commission who admitted today that they funded a legal opinion to try to validate their support for the anti-smacking law. They also labeled the Referendum as ‘flawed’ and ‘meaningless’. This opinion is released in the weeks leading to the Referendum despite the law having been in existence for 2 years – interesting timing!

    Once again, this makes a complete sham of claims by the government that the Referendum won’t make any difference, yet the law change, an answer to the Referendum, and attempts to undermine the process are being promoted by government organisations – and being paid for by taxpayers.

    But groups such as Family First NZ and many others who oppose the law and promoting a No-vote are limited to the $50,000 maximum spending limit set under the CIR Act and have to raise it through donations from individuals and families concerned by this issue. The spending limit is only targeting and penalising groups who oppose the anti-smacking law, but taxpayer-funded groups are spending like there’s no recession!

    But what government funded groups don’t have is…

    PEOPLE

    POWER!

    Tell someone about the website http://www.voteNO.org.nz
    Download some posters or brochures – photocopy – then distribute to any place where there’s people – shopping malls, sports fields, churches, social functions, family, local letterboxes. Let’s even up the debate!!


    ALL THE INFORMATION

    YOU NEED


    …..and NO Copyright!


    The VoteNO.org.nz website has all the information you need regarding the upcoming anti-smacking Referendum including
    frequently asked questions ,
    quotes of interest ,
    summary of polls ,
    summary of media releases on this issue ,
    how to enroll ,
    background of the Referendum
    even a cartoons page !


    But there are also
    FREE downloadable brochures and posters


    (and banner adverts and sidebar adverts for your blogs and website). The brochures are even in other translations including Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Chinese, and Hindi! Download them – photocopy – and distribute to family and friends!

    So GET THE WORD OUT on what this Referendum is all about.

    There’s no copyright – we won’t sue you for plagiarism! GO FOR YOUR LIFE!!

    But especially – encourage people to vote!

    We can also make the videos available to show to your group including Simon Barnett , Referendum proposer Sheryl Savill and Maori Child Advocate Bev Adair – simply email us admin@familyfirst.org.nz for the files

    There’s also a blog , we’re on Twitter , and a group of supporters have started a Facebook group

    IT’S ALL GO!

    You may even like to financially support the VoteNO campaign!!

    But at the end of the day, the Referendum is about you having the opportunity to have YOUR say! Help send a strong message to the politicians that they simply cannot ignore – no matter how much they spend to try and shut you up!

    Bob McCoskrie
    National Director

    http://www.familyfirst.org.nz

  • Yet More Government Funding for Opposing Referendum

    MEDIA RELEASE

    6 July 2009

    Yet More Government Funding for Opposing Referendum

    Family First NZ says that government funded organisations are working and spending overtime pushing the anti-smacking law, attacking the Referendum, and promoting a yes-vote.

    “Following on from the Families Commission last week, and ongoing lobbying from the Children’s Commissioner and government-funded groups like Barnardos and Plunket, the latest example is the Human Rights Commission who admitted today that they funded a legal opinion to try to validate their support for the anti-smacking law,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ. “They also labeled the Referendum as ‘flawed’ and ‘meaningless’.”

    “Once again, this makes a complete sham of claims by the government that the Referendum won’t make any difference, yet the law change, an answer to the Referendum, and attempts to undermine the process are being promoted by government organisations – and being paid for by taxpayers.”

    “But groups such as Family First NZ and many others who oppose the law and promoting a No-vote are limited to the $50,000 maximum spending limit set under the CIR Act and have to raise it through donations from individuals and families concerned by this issue.”

    “The spending limit is penalising groups who oppose the anti-smacking law, but taxpayer-funded groups are spending like there’s no recession!”

    Ironically, in response to a formal complaint by Family First NZ that the anti-smacking law is vague and uncertain, the Human Rights Commission acknowledged the potential uncertainty of the law but said they were not convinced that the earlier version of section 59 ‘provided any better guidance than the present legislation’.

    Mr McCoskrie says that recent research by Curia Marketing Research found widespread confusion about the effect of the law. 55% of the respondents said that smacking was always illegal, 31% said it wasn’t, and 14% didn’t know. A recent Families Commission report showed that immigrant families are confused by the anti-smacking law and see smacking as a viable option for correcting their children.

    “The Referendum is being dismissed by the government yet there’s no shortage of cheques being signed to determine a favourable outcome to the politicians,” says Mr McCoskrie.

    ENDS

    For More Information and Media Interviews, contact Family First:

    Bob McCoskrie – National Director

    Mob. 027 55 555 42


  • $9 Million Found To Cover Referendum

    MEDIA RELEASE

    1 July 2009

    $9 Million Found To Cover Referendum

    Family First NZ says that Treasury figures reveal that $52 million has been budgeted for social policy advice for the financial year and that only a portion of this is needed to cover the cost of the Referendum.

    “The upcoming Referendum is simply an outcome of political deafness but its cost is covered under projected government spending,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

    “$52 million has been budgeted for Social Policy Advice under the Social Development Vote, and includes ‘the provision of information to, and discussion for, the public and other agencies on social policy issues’.”

    “The anti-smacking law is a massive social issue which has affected the role of parents and the functioning of families. The Referendum will allow the public to finally have a say on this issue after being completely ignored by the politicians.”

    “Getting the anti-smacking law right will also have economic benefits. Latest figures on child abuse reported in the Christchurch Press show an incredible 2/3’rds of notifications to CYF requiring no further action.”

    “By correcting the anti-smacking law to avoid unnecessary investigation and intervention, and with $433 million being budgeted for CYF according to Treasury papers, the $9 million on the Referendum is not just about a flawed law but correcting an expensive exercise in mis-defining real abuse.”

    “We can now refer to the Referendum as Social Policy Advice,” says Mr McCoskrie. “Its cost is covered.”

    ENDS


    For More Information and Media Interviews, contact Family First:

    Bob McCoskrie – National Director

    Mob. 027 55 555 42

  • Smacking poll in hands of mother

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/2550600/Smacking-poll-in-hands-of-mother

    Smacking poll in hands of mother

    By NICK VENTER – The Dominion Post

    Last updated 05:00 30/06/2009
    LAST WORD: The referendum on the anti-smacking law will not go ahead if promoter Sheryl Savill withdraws her petition.

    LAST WORD: The referendum on the anti-smacking law will not go ahead if promoter Sheryl Savill withdraws her petition.

    The dark-haired, bespectacled woman talking forcefully across an outdoor table laden with scones, cake and drinks on Family First’s pro-smacking website does not have a bionic arm and cannot run faster than a speeding car. But Sheryl Savill is New Zealand’s $6 million woman.

    The mother of two and policeman’s wife will have the final say this week on whether another $6m is spent on a referendum that Prime Minister John Key says the Government will ignore.

    That is because the petition calling for a referendum on the anti-smacking law was submitted in her name.

    A spokeswoman for the chief electoral officer said yesterday that $700,000 had already been spent preparing for the August referendum and a public information campaign costing $2.2m had also begun.

    If the referendum goes ahead it will cost another $6m. However, if Ms Savill withdraws her petition before the governor-general issues the writ, the last day for which is Friday, the referendum can be cancelled.

    Family First director Bob McCoskrie and petition organiser Larry Baldock say that will not happen unless the Government agrees to decriminalise smacking.

    “The consequences of this law remaining in New Zealand are far too serious and will cost the country far more than the cost of the referendum,” Mr Baldock said.

    He said Ms Savill, who is in the United States on a family holiday, was chosen as the petition promoter because she was a mother.

    “She was concerned about the law and as a young mum felt she was prepared to put her name to it.”

    Ms Savill, 40, has asked petition organisers not to give her contact details to the news media, but her views are explained in the video produced for the Vote No website. “I’m the mum of two lovely girls and when I realised how the anti-smacking law would directly affect the way I was raising my girls I knew that I had to do something,” she says, children and friends seated nearby.

    “A light smack done in a good home that’s full of love sure isn’t child abuse.”

    Mr McCoskrie said Ms Savill’s girls were aged about eight and 11. He declined to say whether she smacked them. “I can’t answer that. I won’t answer that on her behalf. I’m not going to comment on her parenting practice. All I know is that she is supporting the law change.”

    Ms Savill, of South Auckland, works as a “communicator” for a conservative critics say Right wing evangelical organisation, Focus on the Family. Its headquarters are in the United States and it offers advice on parenting and marriage.

    Family First Comment : The Referendum is actually in the hands of the Prime Minister. 300,000-plus signatures, 80% support for amending the anti-smacking law. Only the PM can prevent a costly Referendum. And Sheryl isn’t the $9 million dollar woman. Each person who signed the petition (300k) is the $30 protester!!!