Child Harm Prevention Orders off the table for now

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says the Government is putting on hold Child Harm Prevention Orders as part of the Vulnerable Children Bill.

The Government has a wide range of initiatives that are already making a difference to the protection of children and more proposals that are soon to be implemented.

“I am absolutely committed to improving the lives of vulnerable children and this Government has made it a major priority to focus on these children,” says Mrs Bennett.

As part of that work, legislation supporting the Children’s Action Plan proposed the introduction of new Civil Orders that would impose conditions on people considered to be at high risk of abusing children whether they had been convicted or not.

“We’ve carefully considered submissions to the Select Committee on these Orders. Given the range of other protective measures the Government is introducing, we believe we will achieve improved protection of children without these Orders.”

“I am reserving the right to revisit the need for such orders in the future. They’re just off the table for now.

There are more than 30 initiatives in the Children’s Action Plan.

“I’m confident the full package, along with measures being introduced by my Ministerial colleagues, will make a significant difference to protecting vulnerable children.”

“The Government is exploring a range of other measures aimed at monitoring the small but significant group of adults who pose a high risk to children and are not covered by the Action Plan’s new initiatives. These include widening Extended Supervision Orders, and developing a Sex Offenders Register.

I’m hopeful the Vulnerable Children Bill, due to be reported back to the House on 31 March 2014, will get the full support of all parties.

“I’m satisfied that we can significantly strengthen protection of our children and young people from abuse without pursuing Child Harm Prevention orders at this stage,” said Mrs Bennett.

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