Family First NZ is welcoming a call by the Royal Australian and NZ College of Psychiatrists for the issue of child sexualisation in our media to be confronted.

Family First NZ is labeling a sentence handed down in the Taupo District Court to a step-father for almost killing a child as "pathetic" and sends a dangerous message to potential child abusers.

Wellington, March 12 NZPA - A lobby group has slammed the courts for only over the 16-month jail sentence handed down to a young man who caused life threatening injuries to his three month old baby.

Family First NZ is welcoming a decision by a South Island high school (Westland High School) to refuse to allow the gardasil vaccine to be administered at the school, and is asking for other schools to make a similar stand.

Family First NZ says that the admission by the police that they would prosecute other cases similar to Gore bus driver Jim McCorkindale shows that there is an urgent need to clarify the anti-smacking law and the 'reasonable force' law relating to adults and teachers supervising children.

Family First NZ and Sensible Sentencing Trust both say that opposition to the Three Strikes legislation is misguided and misleading, but that even the amended legislation still puts families at risk.

Family First NZ says that Child Youth and Family (CYF) should save the cost of the 20,000 booklets 'marketing' the anti-smacking law and re-direct those resources to better targeting and monitoring at-risk families.

Family First NZ says that the latest Police report on the anti-smacking law will fool no-one because it fails to address the widely held concerns over the law change and the real issues surrounding the explosion in child abuse deaths as revealed this week.

Family First NZ says that a High Court judge's ruling that riding a bike naked is legal is morally bankrupt, offensive, and sets a dangerous precedent.

Family First NZ is calling on the government to tackle the issue of child sexualisation in our media and to tighten the regulations around advertising and broadcasting in order to better protect our children.