Submitted by crinadmin on
Fears that parents could face prosecution for minor smacks under the controversial anti-smacking law are not borne out by a police review. The enactment of the Crimes (section 59) Amendment Act 2007, banning smacking for correctional purposes, has had little impact on police workloads since its enactment two years ago, police said today. The issue is back on centre-stage after criticism on both sides of the political divide over the wording of a $9 million citizens-initiated referendum, asking: "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?" Both the Prime Minister John Key and leader of the Opposition Phil Goff have said they would not revisit the legislation on the back of a "No" result in the referendum, and both have said they are comfortable with the law as it stands. Police today released the results from their fourth review of police activity as a result of the new law. Police deputy commissioner Rob Pope said the review allowed police to monitor the impact of the anti-smacking law on police workloads. "I am confident in saying that this latest review again shows the amendment has had minimal impact on police activity, he said. Figures show that during the current review period from 4 October last year to 4 April 2009, police attended 279 child assault events. Of these events, 39 involved "minor acts of physical discipline", of which four resulted in prosecutions, and eight involved smacking. One of those cases was thrown out while the other three cases are yet to be heard. No prosecutions were brought for smacking. During the last review period, police attended 258 child assault events of which 49 were "minor acts of physical discipline" and nine involved smacking. "It continues to be business as usual for us and police continue to use their discretion and common sense in their decision making around child assault events," Mr Pope said. Police are now analysing the fifth and final review. The conviction this year of Christchurch musician Jimmy Mason for assaulting his young son in 2007 - held up as a landmark ruling and test case for the anti-smacking law - fell outside of the review period. Further information