Media Release
8 August 2009

YACA Launches 3 Point Action Plan Against Child Abuse

New Zealand has an appalling rate of child abuse. It is time that real ideas were put forward to tackle this very real problem. The Youth of NZ are sick and tired of the governments inaction with dealing with this problem.  Youth Against Child Abuse NZ presents a 3 point action plan against child abuse. We believe the government must urgently adopt all 3 points in order to tackle the urgent problem of child abuse that this country faces.

1. Set up a Royal commission
It is essential that we set up a commission to carry out a full investigation into the causes of child abuse in New Zealand. This will not only get to the heart of the problem but will bring the country together in fighting the common enemy. This will allow New Zealanders from all walks of life, young and old to voice their views on what the causes of child abuse are and what can be done to combat it. Once New Zealand knows what the main causes of child abuse are, as a nation we will be able to do more to prevent it from occurring through implementing policy ideas which come from the royal commission.

2. Tougher laws for child abusers
We need to get tougher on those who abuse our children. If the criminals who abuse children pay a heavier penalty for their crime they will be much less likely to offend again. New, tougher penalties for child abuse must come by way of the criminal justice system. Sentencing policy must be changed so that there is a major deterrent to child abuse.

3. Amend the Anti Smacking law
Section 59 of the Crimes Act needs amending so that parents are not prosecuted or made criminalised for smacking their children for the purpose of correction. Currently, these parents are criminals under the new law The government must not be sending mixed messages as to the nature of real child abuse. We must not be diverting police, social workers and citizen's attention away from real child abuse to good parents who smack for the purpose of correction.

Childrens Commissioner John Angus was mentioned in todays NZ Herald saying that youth must be heard on the issue of child abuse and Smacking

The 3 point action plan against child abuse is available online at www.yaca.org.nz/?page_id=66

"Youth Against Child Abuse has taken up that call and is pleased to release its proposed action plan against child abuse," says spokesperson Simeon Brown.  "This action plan is what youth want to happen regarding child abuse and the anti-smacking law."

ENDS

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