Call to publicly name and shame sex offenders

SARAH’S LAW for NEW ZEALAND?

As a new Law to protect children against known sex offenders is rolled out in the U K a New Zealand victim’s advocacy organization says it is time Sarah’s Law was introduced here – but they want to go further by having a publicly available register to name and shame sex offenders.

Sarah’s Law was introduced after eight year old Sarah Payne was murdered by known paedophile Roy Whiting and years of lobbying by various Victims’ Rights Groups.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust is calling for a similar law to be introduced into New Zealand saying it is time the safety and protection of women and children was the paramount consideration. 

The Trust already administers an on-line offender data base which names some of New Zealand’s worst violent criminals and sex offenders, the information the Trust uses is gathered from publicly available records.

Trust Spokesman Garth McVicar said that with recognition world wide that naming and shaming offenders was more successful than rehabilitation courses his organization was promoting the idea that repeat offenders – particularly sex offenders should be named and shamed on a publicly available register. 

“The safety of our women and children – and indeed all citizens – must be a priority for all Governments, we think it is time the ‘rights’ of law abiding citizens came before the ‘rights’ of offenders.” 


www.safe-nz.org.nz/