Child and Family Protection Bill Introduced

The Child and Family Protection Bill was introduced to Parliament last week by Minister of Justice Simon Power. The Bill aims to further protect children and young victims of domestic violence by improving family court processes by:Providing clarity that when a protected person dies, their children remain protected Amending the Care of Children Act 2004 to increase the protection of children suffering psychological violence Allowing the courts to review parent contact arrangements within a few weeks of a temporary protection order being made Strengthening the protection of children at risk of unlawful removal from New Zealand. The Bill contains the final legislative amendment required for the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. The ratification of the Optional Protocol ensures New Zealand is meeting international commitments to protect children from economic and sexual exploitation. The Bill may be accessed here: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2009/0072/latest/DLM2295903.html