Voting "Yes" Supports The Protection Of Children: Child Discipline Referendum

Supporters of the child discipline law should vote "Yes" in the August referendum, says the Yes Vote coalition of child and family-focused organisations rallying to support the law.

All registered voters will receive notification this week from the Chief Electoral Office that postal voting on the non-binding referendum on child discipline will be occurring between July 31 and August 21.

The Yes Vote supports the law as it now stands, following removal in 2007 of the right to a defence in child abuse cases of "reasonable force" in punishing a child.

"The referendum question is strangely worded to discourage supporters of the current law from participating," says Deborah Morris-Travers. "The Yes Vote coalition has been formed to give voters a clear choice to support the law as it stands by voting ‘Yes’.

"Voting ‘Yes’ is the best option for New Zealanders who support the protection of children. The law sets a standard that states violence against children is unacceptable. This is particularly important in a country with such high rates of violence against children."

Research for the Children’s Commissioner undertaken in July 2008 by UMR Insight found that 21% of those polled strongly supported the amendments to Section 59 of the Crimes Act, which make it an offence to claim parental discipline as a defence for child assault. Only 12 percent said they “strongly opposed” the law change. Total support for the legislation stood at 43 percent, with 28 percent opposed, and 26 percent having neutral views on the issue.

The referendum question is: 'Should a smack, as a part of good parental correction, be a criminal offence in New Zealand?'

"The question falsely equates smacking with good parenting," says Morris-Travers.

"It's like asking: 'should speeding, as a part of good driving, be a criminal offence?', or 'should smoking, as part of a healthy lifestyle, be discouraged?' The question is a nonsense, but it has the capacity to rally support from the current law's opponents.

"The Yes Vote campaign seeks to cut through the deceptive and confusing referendum question and give voters a real choice."

The referendum's supporters say the law has failed because serious child abuse continues, but the Yes Vote rejects that claim.

"Quite apart from the fact that no one ever claimed such a miraculous outcome simply by passing a law, the claim is as ridiculous as saying the law against drunk driving hasn't worked because it still happens,” said Rev’d Dr Hone Kaa.

"The child discipline law is a line in the sand against child abuse which, like opponents of the law, we abhor. The tragedy of this unnecessary, $10 million referendum, is how much the opposing sides agree on this key point,” concluded Rev’d Kaa.

The amendment to s59 of the Crimes Act gained overwhelming parliamentary support, passing by 113 votes to 8 in 2007.

ENDS

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