Death penalty, castration, flogging called for

Press, 12 November 1977, Page 3

Death penalty, castration, flogging called for

PA Hamilton Calls for the death penalty, castration, and flogging as punishment for crimes of violence were made at a public meeting in Hamilton on Thursday. Organised by a group of Hamilton mothers horrified by the recent spate of sexual attacks on children, the lunch-time meeting was attended by about 120.

The women are campaigning for sterner penalties for “bashers” and sex offenders, and will circulate a petition to present to Parliament They met yesterday to form a committee.

The organiser, Mrs Judith Hammond, said she believed it was time to stand up and be counted on whether New Zealand’s judicial system was “a fair deal.”

“People committing barbaric crimes are being let off too lightly,” she said. “What happens to the victims? they don’t have the luxury, of prison psychiatrists at the taxpayer’s expense, and they must live with their terrifying experience for the rest of their lives.”

The Mayor of Hamilton (Mr Jansen) attacted the news media, particularly television, for giving prominence to violence, and appealed for more good news.

A Rangiriri victim of an aggravated robbery, Mr Bruce Baverstock, said he supported the campaign for stiffer penalties for violent crime.

“My three children are completely different. My wife has suffered badly — and I am annoyed that the worst offender got only a

three-year prison sentence for assaulting my wife,” he said. “The laws in this country for sexual assault on children, and assault on women, are most inadequate,” he said.

A woman who said her daughter had been assaulted was applauded when she suggested castration as a penalty, while a man received applause when he suggested flogging, and flogging and castration for a second offence.

Cr Margaret Evans described castration as an “emotional barbarism," but said she supported the death penalty. “I don’t want these people in our society. Get rid of them,” she said. Cr Evans said the basic problem in violent crimes was that the offenders enjoyed what they were

doing and believed that violence was exciting and fun.

Another speaker said New Zealand’s laws should be designed to include rehabilitation for the victim, and a harsher penalty for the criminal. Other speakers said measures should be taken to make children further aware of the “dangers of society,” while others called for more discipline at home and school and less violence on television.

After the meeting, Mrs Hammond said she personally did not favour castration, but her committee would examine the judicial system and call for the maximum penalties at present available to be imposed. She said they would also seek the death penalty for murder and child rape.