The Green Party today welcomed moves to strengthen the protection of children from assault and ill-treatment, but expressed concerns that extending criminal liability to people outside a child's household went too far.
"The Green Party welcomes moves to strengthen child protection, including the creation of the new offence of failure to protect a child," Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said.
"Children are among our most vulnerable citizens, and every practical step to ensure their protection from violence and abuse should be taken.
"It is appropriate that parents and caregivers should be required by law to take reasonable steps to protect a child or vulnerable adult from injury," Mrs Turei said.
However Mrs Turei said she was concerned that liability for the new offence of failure to protect a child would be extended to people who did not live in the same household as the victim but were, in the words of the Government announcement, 'so closely connected with it that they are regarded as a member of it'.
"It is not clear how this wording will be interpreted, but it seems to be a way to target those with large extended families. In practice, this is predominantly Maori and Pasifika families," Mrs Turei said.
"It is also concerning that the provision could apply to other people living in the same household, such as older children and vulnerable adults, who may also be victims of abuse.
"Extended family and whanau often play a key role in protecting vulnerable children from abuse. The support of family members can be vital. The way to harness this is to support whanau and community networks and to invest in prevention initiatives that utilise these networks, not to threaten people with criminal liability," Mrs Turei said.
Mrs Turei said that in the current economic climate, it was important to take into account the factors that put vulnerable families and children under stress. These included violence and abuse, but also lack of access to food, adequate housing, and other resources.
"Child abuse doesn't occur in a vacuum. There is much that could be done to support families and communities with the strain of making ends meet and that would have a positive impact on rates of child abuse and neglect, as well as general child health and wellbeing.
"Instead of criminalising extended family, we need to invest in these networks to support our kids and keep them safe and healthy.
"Child abuse and neglect affects every kind of family, and prevention must be our highest priority. Any law change must not perpetuate prejudice, or undermine the ability of families to tackle abuse and neglect," Mrs Turei said.
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