Third of Kiwi parents still smack their kids

Children’s commissioner Andrew Becroft says there is no doubt the 2007 ‘‘anti-smacking’’ law change has worked to protect children.

His comments come after a report showing a third of Kiwi kids are still smacked by their parents.

Ten years on from the repeal of section 59 of the Crimes Act in 2007 – better known as the ‘‘antismacking law’’ driven by MP Sue Bradford, which removed the ‘‘reasonable force’’ defence for adults who smacked their children – a longitudinal study shows many parents still use physical discipline as a form of punishment.

The University of Auckland’s Growing Up In New Zealand study has released its Now We Are Four report, revealing worrying statistics happening behind closed doors in New Zealand homes.

The report showed a third of mothers used smacking as a form of punishment and regularly shouted at their kids. One in 10 parents said they frequently smacked their children.

Three per cent of Kiwi kids regularly witnessed arguments between their parents that included physical violence. One in every 12 mothers reported ‘‘exploding with anger’’ at their children often.

Before he became children’s commissioner, Becroft was the country’s Principal Youth Court Judge.

He said some of the cases which passed under section 59 before the law change could only be described as beating. ‘‘Even the law, as it is, does not require police to prosecute when the smacking is considered inconsequential. But what I do stand by is that there are more appropriate ways to enforce boundaries and provide guidance.

‘‘I think all parents know deep down there are better ways. There are good strategies and help that can be available for any parents ... but I think there’s a significant challenge in New Zealand for us to do better for our families.’’

Becroft said many of the statistics in which New Zealand needed to improve – such as bullying, abuse and violence – could be

"Parenting is an inherently stressful business ... the bottom line is we can do significantly better and we want to do better." Children's commissioner Andrew Becroft

traced back to family life.

As a parent, he said he knew there were times when all parents fell short and felt ashamed. ‘‘All parents love their children. Parenting is an inherently stressful business ... the bottom line is we can do significantly better and we want to do better.’’

Jill Proudfoot, of domestic abuse charity Shine, said a small smack as a form of discipline could often lead to more intense violence. ‘‘There’s a continuum of violence that starts with a little smack and escalates. If they continue defying you, then you have to hit harder and harder and do more serious things to control them.’’

She said that physical discipline was strongly entrenched in New Zealand’s culture and while the change in legislation had helped, more resourcing was needed across the nation to support families towards better parenting practices.

The children who were witnessing domestic violence between their parents were reported as a small group, but Proudfoot said through her work she knew children often were more aware than their parents knew.

Growing Up In New Zealand director Susan Morton said it was important to acknowledge how hard parenting could be for the current generation, who were dealing with a great many stresses in general life as well.

Justice Minister Amy Adams recently said the Government would take action on New Zealand’s appalling family violence record.