The anti-smacking law has failed to reduce the abuse and neglect of children. It was never going to make a difference because lawless people don't give a damn. In fact normally law-abiding people don't give a fig for it either. On a recent plane trip, the row in front of me contained a mother and two youngsters one of whom was being stroppy. I didn't see what the child did (to her sibling I think) but what I did hear was the mother, having handled the situation saying to the daughter, "I'm sorry if I tapped you too hard but...." She followed the law by changing the language.
Many people think we should just get over it and get on with it. But this report highlights that the anti-smacking law, which is being policed, may actually be making the situation worse.
It's bad law. I've listened to people speak who have been criminalised by it and their experiences have been harrowing.
Read the report summary here.
6 comments:
Well, there's a second ACT social policy then, isn't there: repeal the smacking law!
I can't think that "1% for 1%" captures ACT"s goals better than "hit your children" though.
Seeking to reduce the appalling instances of child abuse and murder is worthy of ACT policy. Child abuse of this magnitude has to be tackled head-on, and urgently. The statistics are shameful enough, but they do not tell the complete story. The Police and Welfare Agencies need additional resourcing, and the tools and encouragement to make a difference.
Attempting to reverse the Anti-Smacking Law would be counter productive. It is certainly the lesser of the two evils. It is the territory of a Private Member's Bill.
Seeking to reduce the appalling instances of child abuse and murder is worthy of ACT policy
No it's not, at least not while ACT has only one MP. First: ACT must leave motherhood and apple pie to JhonKey's Labour and Little Andrew's Communists to focus on what is distinctive. Second: child abuse and mureder is a problem, not a policy.
ACT doesn't have the luxury of private members bills when it has only one member: everything ACT MPs do is party policy.
"No it's not, at least not while ACT has only one MP."
Is ACT intending to put together some policies for the next Election, or do they intend sticking with just the one MP?
"Second: child abuse and mureder is a problem, not a policy."
Correct. However, dealing with it calls for some policy because the status quo is failing our society.
"ACT doesn't have the luxury of private members bills when it has only one member: everything ACT MPs do is party policy."
Correct again. ACT needs substantive policy between now and the next Election and repealing the Anti-Smacking Law does not fit that criteria. You didn't think "It is the territory of a Private Member's Bill" sounded a tad dismissive?
Lindsay, you are correct about the ineffectualness of the anti smacking law. However, there is no political mileage for anyone attempting to repeal or modify it. They would be framed as ‘child abusers’ and the MSM would get in behind the narrative for all they are worth.
This is an ideological battle and has nothing to do with reality.
So much that is happening today has nothing to do with reality.
Correct. However, dealing with it calls for some policy because the status quo is failing our society.
Tactically: it doesn't have to call for an ACT policy. Nothing says ACT has to have policies for everything under the sun!
Strategically: it's not clear a government response is called for in any case!
Correct again. ACT needs substantive policy between now and the next Election and repealing the Anti-Smacking Law does not fit that criteria. You didn't think "It is the territory of a Private Member's Bill" sounded a tad dismissive?
Not dismissive enough I guess. When ACT has 20 MPS it has the luxury of letting them do private members bills on non-core issues. For now (as euthanasia shows) ACT needs to use the ballot to enact - or at least to get attention - to its policies.
Were I David "Hi!" Seymour - or going to the conference - I'd argue till I was blue that the strategy has to be:
* Assisted dying - bill already there.
* Charper schools - ACT's only achievement to date
* Tax cuts for everyone - 1% for 1%
Then when any asks "what does ACT stand for" everyone can just say "A. C. T. - Assisted dying; Charter schools; tax cuts"
And everyone walks the fucking line as Malcolm Tucker put it from now until the election
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