Some days I am proud to live in this country. Days like these, I am not.
NZ's criminal law system is.... well it.... I half lost faith when recent changes meant that people could face charges for not reporting a child abuse even if they were trapped themselves in domestic abuse situation.
Yeah. I totally agree with the intention behind it. The impetus for the law was after domestic abuse cases made it clear that neighbours had noticed, but hadn't done anything about it, and this was trying to make them responsible for reporting too. But the actual WORDING made people like the child's mother, who could very well be trapped too, culpable.
Honestly, I'm wary of laws that would penalize someone for not speaking up because I think that could backfire. What if someone (like a neighbor) didn't know what was going on? What if it brings up wayyyyyy too many accusations in order for people to cover their backs? I'm supportive of such laws, when there are clear authority type figures who are designated (doctors, teachers etc) but they need to be worded extremely specifically.
To my knowledge, the only difference between rape and sexual violation in terms of sentences is the name. Rape is strictly defined as a penis non-consentually entering a vagina. Any of the other myriad forms sexual assault takes is called sexual violation or unlawful sexual connection.
Thank you. Yep, and the sentence delta is 100% the result of it being "statutory rape" rather than "rape" except that statutory rape is referred to as "sexual conduct with a minor."
At least they can easily prove this woman wrong by doing a paternity test. Absolutely she needs to be in jail and *never* come near any kids, including the one she gave birth to, again.
Jayzus.
And this poor little kid - at least he had the courage to speak up and at least he was taken seriously.
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NZ's criminal law system is.... well it.... I half lost faith when recent changes meant that people could face charges for not reporting a child abuse even if they were trapped themselves in domestic abuse situation.
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That's terrible :-(
I don't think this is a NZ issue though, I think most nations have at least some really shitty laws.
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Honestly, I'm wary of laws that would penalize someone for not speaking up because I think that could backfire. What if someone (like a neighbor) didn't know what was going on? What if it brings up wayyyyyy too many accusations in order for people to cover their backs? I'm supportive of such laws, when there are clear authority type figures who are designated (doctors, teachers etc) but they need to be worded extremely specifically.
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I will never understand people who look at children and feel attraction, never
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To my knowledge, the only difference between rape and sexual violation in terms of sentences is the name. Rape is strictly defined as a penis non-consentually entering a vagina. Any of the other myriad forms sexual assault takes is called sexual violation or unlawful sexual connection.
ETA: This link might help with the terms/background about the terms used http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/violent-crime/page-8
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Jayzus.
And this poor little kid - at least he had the courage to speak up and at least he was taken seriously.
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