Boot the Bill – protect children’s rights

Why we oppose the Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill 

We all want a safe and just Aotearoa, where people feel protected from crime. But the punitive measures in this Bill fail to address the real causes of youth offending and could lead to long-term harm for vulnerable children.

What’s wrong with the bill?

  • Fast-tracking children into the criminal system increases long-term criminal behavior.

  • Military-style detention camps are ineffective and expose children to violence and abuse.

  • Allowing physical force against children undermines their legal right to protection from violence.

Over 80% of youth offenders have experienced family harm.
75% of women in prison have faced sexual and family violence.

Boot camps in NZ have historically led to abuse and increased reoffending rates.Boot camps in NZ have historically led to abuse and increased reoffending rates.

These punitive measures do not prevent crime. Instead, they perpetuate harm and fail to address the root causes of youth offending, such as abuse, trauma, and systemic inequality.

A better way forward

If we want to stop youth offending, we need to stop crimes against children. We must:

  • Uphold the rights of children, even when in conflict with the law.

  • Focus on rehabilitation and support instead of punishment.

  • Implement proven strategies to help children and youth move toward positive futures.

Join us: say ‘No’ to this harmful bill

Stand with us to oppose policies that harm children and jeopardize their futures. Together, we can push for a safer, more effective youth justice system in Aotearoa.

Submission on the Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill

This submission by Save the Children New Zealand, supported by the Children’s Rights Alliance Aotearoa NZ, outlines concerns about the Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill. It highlights the potential harmful impact on vulnerable children aged 14-17, opposes the introduction of Young Serious Offender (YSO) declarations and Military Style Academies, and advocates for evidence-based, child-centered approaches to youth justice. The submission calls for the withdrawal of the Bill, emphasizing the importance of rights-based solutions and prevention-focused interventions.