Harsher penalties for child abusers

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Changes to the Crimes Amendment will increase punishment for child abuse, but may not dramatically change how much abuse occurs, say experts and politicians.
While many welcome the Crimes Amendment Bill (no. 2) as a step forward, some say the Government needs to do more to lower child abuse cases.
The amendment, which was passed last month, increased the maximum penalty for child abusers from five to 10 years, and makes it a crime to not report the ill-treatment, neglect or abuse of a child.
John Hancock, policy advisor for the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, says the new provisions are solely focussed on the criminal justice system.
“While strengthening the bill provides stronger protective elements in our legal system, it also broadens the definition of the duty as parents to provide children with the necessities of life,” he says.
Hancock says implementing firmer penalties sends a “social signal”, but it is difficult to say whether the lengthening of sentences will lower child abuse incidents.
However, he says increasing the punishment shows the seriousness of abuse.
“It sends a strong signal that those types of neglect of a child are serious and should be treated as such. So the criminal law is reflecting the social concerns about that type of conduct,” he says.
Hancock says the bill does not negate rehabilitative options for offenders, but gives “judges a different sentencing threshold to consider if someone is found guilty on one of those offences”.
While the Opposition supported the bill, Labour MP for Auckland Central, Jacinda Ardern, says the “focus of the Government is still waiting until abuse occurs”.
“We’ve got to go to the very beginning and start looking at prevention,” she says.
Addressing poverty issues and providing financial support to families needs to be a major focus for the Government, Ardern says.
It is about “making sure that young mums have the means to feed and clothe their child properly and providing adequate support and guidance”, she says.
“We’ve now sent a message about how important it is – to us as a society – that [reporting] happens, but it’s not a solution on its own.”
Amanda Meynell, academic services manager at ChildMatters, says the organisation supports the bill surrounding holding families accountable and the focus on protecting children.
“But the bill is not going to address the issue of child abuse in our country,” she says.
Meynell says the biggest concern is that so many people don’t know what child abuse is.
“It’s not just the child with the black eye. There are a whole lot of ways children are abused and there are different signs of abuse that people really need to be educated about.
“Until people are aware of the issue of abuse, and know what to look for and how to intervene and protect children ... child abuse rates will continue to be staggering.”
Meynell says the government should make child abuse education mandatory for everyone that deals professionally with children.
“We are not going to break the cycle without talking about it. If it continues to be a silent issue that is swept under the carpet, we are not going to be able to move.
“At least, the introduction of this bill starts us having these conversations,” she says.
PHOTO CAPTION:
UNCERTAIN: Critics says the amended Crimes Act is a step forward, but whether it will reduce child abuse remains to be seen. PHOTO / Krissy Dwyer