Law Commission recommends repealing Male Assaults Female offence

A new report from the Law Commission recommends additional provisions that will make parent and caregivers liable if they fail to protect their children from injury or fail to intervene when a child is at risk. It has also recommended that the core assault and injury offences be simplified and replaced by six new offences and repealing the offences of assault on a child and male assaults female. Minister of Justice Simon Power responded to the Law Commissions report stating that there are no plans to remove the male assaults female offence due to the current focus on domestic violence. The bill introducing the new offence of failing to protect a child or vulnerable adult will be introduced early next year. The Law Commission’s Report is available at: http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/project/review-part-8-crimes-act-1961/publication/report/2009/review-part-8-crimes-act-1961-crimes-a