2020 election: nation vows to break cone of silence on child abuse

National promises to crack down on those who are silent about child abuse, but admits that punishing offenders will not be an easy exercise.

National MP Louise Upston was in Hamilton on Friday to launch her party’s Families and Children policy, which builds on the First 1000 Days policy previously published by National.

Upston, the party’s social development spokeswoman, said huge social benefits can be achieved by focusing on a child’s first 36 months.

“We know that the onset of a woman’s pregnancy and a child’s third birthday is the most critical period in her development and has a huge impact on the outcome of that child’s life,” Upston said.

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“Their health outcomes, their educational outcomes, and also in terms of fairness and the difference between them that show up in the justice system later in life.”

A key feature of the Families and Children policy is the intent to criminalize the non-disclosure of child abuse.

In February, National declared that it would create the new crime for not disclosing child abuse, after a four-year-old boy was brutally beaten in Flaxmere and a detective said “crucial information” about what happened was not being given to police.

Upston said he was unaware of National’s legislative priorities if it came to forming the next government, but vowed to push forward with Families and Children policy initiatives.

When asked how authorities would prove that someone was silent about child abuse, Upston admitted that it would not be a simple matter.

“It is a challenge, but if we look at many cases, after the fact, it is discovered that someone knew and did not speak,” he said, before referring to the death of twins Chris and Cru Kahui in 2008 and the murder of a young child. . Moko Rangitoheriri in 2015.

Failure to disclose child abuse could be punishable by three years in prison.

“There is some criticism about the fact that it actually removes your right to silence. Well I’m sorry but I don’t think that in that case, when all New Zealand children deserve to feel safe and secure in their home, anyone deserves the right to silence under those circumstances, ”Upston said.

“It’s a significant change in policy, but it’s very much based on what New Zealanders say every day and goes back a long way.”

National has vowed not to set aside the Labor-led government’s child poverty measures, but to focus on a new target of material hardship yet to be determined.

Family violence and sexual violence would also be measured and a reduction goal would be set, as has been done with child poverty, under a National Government.

Other features of the Families and Children policy include: the establishment of a National Center for Child Development; implement enhanced screening exams, with GP visits before and after birth, and a renewed B4 school check-up at three years to identify developmental problems; and give parents $ 3,000 to use to access services and supports for their children.

In a modern twist on the Plunket book, National will create a “children’s passport,” which contains electronic records that can be shared among health and education providers.

During the announcement of the policy, Upston recalled the birth of his first child. She was alone at the time and her older sisters lived in different cities.

“I remember standing in the kitchen, when he [Dad] He left me with this precious, precious baby and I begged him not to leave me because I was so petrified of how I was going to cope with this new baby. And I don’t want any mother in New Zealand to feel that way. “