UNICEF Backing Anti-Smacking Changes
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04/01/2006NewstalkZB
Some international heavyweights are wading into the ring in a bid to change legislation that deals with child discipline.
Green MP Sue Bradford's private member's bill aims to rid the Crimes Act of the clause which allows parents to use force.
UNICEF, The Body Shop and The Public Health Association back the move.
UNICEF advocacy manager Beth Wood says it is a chance to get rid of a piece of legislation that allows some parents to get away with assault. Section 59 of the Crimes Act allows parents to use "reasonable force" on their children.
She says it is not about punishing parents who occasionally smack children, but changing attitudes towards violence - full-stop.
Ms Wood says there are ways to protect parents without having laws which allow for violence. She says hitting children does not improve their learning but teaches them to hit.
She says that is something that people need to be educated against in order to solve the huge family violence problem the country faces. Ms Wood says New Zealand law should set a standard of absolute non-violence.
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