August 06, 2015
Good laws needed to curb violence
A sexual health provider to Maoori in the north is welcoming tougher family violence laws.
Russell Smith of Korowai Tumanako says it is important that efforts on the ground to curb violence in the community are supported by good laws.
He says the reality is that no law or policy will stop violence – if people want to be violent they will be.
However laws around sentencing can certainly effect change.
Smith says Maori have some great strategies for dealing with violence and sexual violelnce in particular but they don't always get the opportunity to put them into practice because of insufficient legal backing.
He says it is very important that Maori have input on a discussion paper Justice Minister Amy Adams has distributed seeking major law reform.
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