Vote “yes” to protect children, says Emma Brazendale
Violence-Free Golden Bay co-ordinator Emma Brazendale is urging voters to exercise their right to have a say in the upcoming citizens-initiated referendum on smacking.
“Everyone should put their views forward,” she said. “Obviously I hope people decide to vote ‘yes’ in the referendum” It’s a chance for the whole of New Zealand to say something on behalf of the children who don’t have a voice of their own.”
Ms Brazendale said that New Zealand has the third highest rate of child homicide in the OECD. “We were one of the last in the OECD to allow adults to continue hitting children,” she said. “The only thing you teach someone by hitting them is that it’s OK for bigger people to hit smaller people. That’s how our children learn that bigger people have the power to hurt littler people. That sounds like bullying. Someone’s got to say that it’s not OK. There are so many other more positive ways of helping children to manage their behaviour.”
The referendum was brought about by people who oppose the 2007 amendment to section 59 of the Crimes Act. That amendment removed the defence of “reasonable force” from any case of assault on a child by an adult. Opponents of the amendment argue that it makes criminals out of parents who smack their children in the course of ordinary discipline.
Kiwi Party member Larry Baldock, the man behind the referendum, said that New Zealanders have been yelling at politicians that they do not want the law and they deserve to have a vote on the issue.
The referendum is non-binding so the Government is not obliged to take any notice of it. Prime Minister John Key has said that the law is unlikely to be changed, no matter what the result is.
Neither Mr Key nor Leader of the Opposition Phil Goff is likely to cast a vote in the $9 million referendum. They have said that they think wording of the question is ambiguous.
The question is: “Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?“
Ms Brazendale said that she too thought the way the question is worded was confusing and unhelpful.
“The whole idea of the law change was to protect children from abuse. The new law is working well and I hope we don’t change it,” she said.
Every household will get a notice in their mail encouraging them to check they are enrolled to vote. Anyone who believes they are entitled to vote and who has not received voting papers should contact the Electoral Office. Voting closes on 21 August.
Neil Wilson
