Media statement
For immediate release
Tuesday, 7 August 2007

Dunne suggests new sentencing options for abusers

United Future leader Peter Dunne says society should be able to express its extreme disgust at the child abuse epidemic through a more transparent form of sentencing for the abusers.

The Ohariu-Belmont MP said, "A constituent of mine has come up with the beginnings of a system for introducing a 'vulnerability index' into sentencing in the courts.

"Every time a child, an intellectually disabled person or an elderly person is reported physically or mentally abused, we all throw our hands in the air and say how terrible it is and how frustrated we are – until it all happens again.

"A vulnerability index might not end abuse – but it will make very clear the consequences of such actions.

"Under such a system, if one assault on a child merits a four-year jail term, say, then repeated attacks on a child over a period of time might have a multiplier of three applied, meaning a jail term of 12 years for the abuser or abusers.

"The same would apply for the elderly and the intellectually handicapped.

"Over time, the system would be refined by judges' practise and case law and society would be sending a very clear signal that abuse of the vulnerable is completely unacceptable," said Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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