DESTINY NEW ZEALAND
www.destinynz.org.nz

PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

11 August 2005

Weak Family Environments Creating a Culture of Crime

Former South Auckland Sergeant and Destiny New Zealand Leader, Richard Lewis, is attributing the increasing incidents of youth crime to weakening family environments.

“Reports this week of residents and schools in Papakura, Onehunga, Otaki and Christchurch being terrorised by unruly youths is an outcome of weakening family environments,” says Mr Lewis. Drawing on his experience in frontline social services and policing, he points to the increase in fatherless families and a lack of parental responsibility as key reasons why many young people are falling foul of the law.

“Disciplines of justice and respect for self, people and property are established first in the home. If there is no sense of accountability and responsibility within the home environment our communities will be held captive to a generation without a conscience - we are seeing that manifest today,” he added.

To that end, Destiny New Zealand policies are underpinned by a dedicated Family Policy that adds value to the role of parenting and encourages longevity in marriage for family stability.

Destiny New Zealand candidates and policies can be viewed on www.destinynz.org.nz

ENDS

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