01 August 2007

Family Group Conferences Failing Dismally

New Zealand First law and order spokesperson Ron Mark says anyone who believes that Family Group Conferences provide an effective deterrent for repeat and serious youth offending is kidding themselves.

Mr Mark's comments follow the further hearing of submissions on his Young Offenders (Serious Crimes) Bill at a Law and Order select committee today.

"Family Group Conferences may well be effective for handling some youth justice issues but they are failing miserably in circumstances where more serious crimes are involved.

"Anecdotal evidence has shown that Family Group Conferences do next to nothing to deter repeat offenders, and more often than not, the victims' rights are ignored. In some cases, victims of serious offending have said that they felt like they were the ones on trial and were subjected to bullying, derision and intimidation by supporters of the accused.

"Some youth offenders are being given the chance of multiple Family Group Conferences, with the same outcome – more offending.

"Instead of trying to fudge the issue by overlooking the purpose of the Bill, people need to face the fact that our youth justice system is not working to reduce repeat and serious offending. The statistics demonstrate this very clearly.

"So when are people going to get real and admit that frequent visits to Family Group Conferences, holding hands with facilitators and safe workers and promising not to offend again won't miraculously raise the barrier to a life of crime for many youth who are already heading down that path," said Mr Mark.

ENDS

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