21 August 2009

Media release

Referendum has had some positive value

Beth Wood, spokesperson for EPOCH New Zealand said tonight “The outcome of the referendum was inevitable given the confusing and leading question it asked and its timing so soon in the life of the new law.  It has been expensive and unnecessary but there has been a positive aspect to it.

“This was the opportunity it made to encourage thinking people to review the use of physical punishment and the negative place of violence in shaping our children’s behaviour”.

“In 2007, when the law changed, there was already an impressive expression of support for change from people who saw the importance of having one standard in law about assault for all New Zealanders.  They knew about the value of encouraging positive non-physical discipline.  Over the last year we have seen support for the law grow among editors and opinion writers, paediatricians, psychologists, social workers, academics, religious leaders and many others.  The YesVote website www.yesvote.org.nz holds a very impressive list of organisations that look past the referendum question and express support for New Zealand’s stand in law”.

“We can be sure that smackers will now call vigorously for the return of a supposed right to ‘smack’ within the law.  In doing so they will be ignoring the reality of many children in New Zealand whose experience of physical discipline is still far harsher and more damaging than a smack”. 

“The referendum result is non-binding.  EPOCH New Zealand urges politicians to resist pressure to change the law and instead ensure that the law’s impact continues to be monitored and reported on and to provide more information to parents on the law and on positive discipline” said Beth.

ends

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