A youth lawyer says the law should be changed to allow children as young as 12 to be prosecuted for serious crimes.
Don Kennedy, who works in Hastings Youth Court, said young offenders were more sophisticated than ever and there was a good argument for lowering the age of responsibility to 12.
His comments came a day after it was reported that a Hawkes Bay girl was allegedly molested and raped between the ages of 6 and 8 by five boys.
Four of the youths cannot be charged because they were under 14 at the time of the alleged offences.
The five youths have been referred to a family group conference.
"We have got to look at our statistics which say there are more and more young offenders committing serious crime," Mr Kennedy said. "What we are seeing is that young offenders are becoming more sophisticated."
He said some 12-year-olds knew more than many 16-year-olds.
Act's police spokeswoman, Muriel Newman, also believes the existing law is inadequate.
"These [youths] have quite possibly ruined a young girl's life, yet all they face is a family group conference.
"That is a slap on the wrist in response to a despicable crime," the list MP said.
Act would lower the age of criminal responsibility to 12 and abolish the Youth Court, she said.
The party would also end name and record suppression for youths found guilty of crimes.
However the Commissioner for Children, Roger McClay, does not support a law change.
"All the evidence is that down the track you don't bring about very good outcomes," he said.
The youths should be held to account if the alleged offences were proved.
Detaining them in a youth unit was one option.
He said it was a tragedy that a young girl could be "got at for so long" before the actions of the youths were detected.
The girl's father needed the opportunity to have a say on the final outcome.
Mr McClay said the case was a timely reminder to all parents that they needed to monitor their children and be aware of any change in behaviour.
"The law in itself cannot protect children. It's up to the parents," he said.
Hastings area police controller Tony McLeod said police were comfortable with provisions in the existing law to deal with the five alleged offenders.
All options would be considered at a family group conference.
- NZPA
Youth crime law 'inadequate'
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