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Women's Refuge is "shocked and disappointed" at the sentence handed down to long-time Whakatane police officer Adrian Hilterman for assaulting his wife and children.
The former police prosecutor was yesterday sentenced to 150 hours' community service after being found guilty last month of two assaults on his GP wife Deborah Hilterman, 37.
He was convicted and discharged without penalty on three charges of assaulting his three young children.
Hilterman resigned from the police a few days after the guilty verdicts were returned.
In sentencing, Judge Robert Spear said Hilterman's behaviour was a response to stress in the relationship.
Women's Refuge chief executive Heather Henare said the judge's comments were "completely inappropriate" and the outcome of the trial should be condemned by all New Zealanders.
"This result is shocking and disappointing," she said.
"We work tirelessly to promote the message that family violence is not OK and a sentence like this undermines everything we are trying to achieve.
"Everyone experiences stress at some time in their lives, but most of us do not resort to violence, thank goodness."
Ms Henare said Judge Spear sent "an appalling message" to the New Zealand public and she hoped that people would voice their concern.
Women's Refuge was also outraged that Hilterman received no penalty, apart from conviction, for the assaults on his children.
"The repeal of Section 59 (of the Crimes Act), gave children the right to live without violence," she said.
"Why is this man getting away with assaulting his children? He was found guilty and has walked away without punishment."
Hilterman yesterday said he was still looking on the bright side of life, despite losing his job and his children over his convictions.
"I'm through it, I'm alive, I've got my house still, I've got my friends and family - I'll go forward from here."
He had applied to the court for visitation rights for his children and was awaiting a decision.
Defence counsel Paul Mabey told the court yesterday that Hilterman denied the offending but accepted he must be sentenced on two of the jury's verdicts.
At sentencing Judge Spear suggested a confidential help line be set up for wives of police officers.
He said there could be a need for something of that sort for spouses "who find themselves in a difficult situation at home".
Lobby group Preventing Violence in the Home said there was no need for another domestic violence helpline.
The non-profit group runs its own confidential helpline for domestic violence victims.
Executive director Jane Drumm said it was well equipped to help people facing sensitive issues.
She said Hilterman's sentence was "not an appropriate sentence".
"As a police prosecutor, he should have known better than anyone else what options were available to him for help, and what a risk he was taking in terms of his career."
- NZPA
