Petition request

That the House of Representatives legislate to make life imprisonment the maximum for sexual violation, raise maximums for sexual offences against children and for child sexual abuse material, set minimum prison terms with no home detention for that material, and require two-thirds to be served.

Petition reason

Sexual violation carries a maximum of 20 years; there is no life sentence for the rape of a child. Sexual connection with a young person under 16 carries 10 years; with a dependent family member under 18, 7. Courts regularly impose home detention for child sexual abuse material offences; those imprisoned for over two years are parole eligible after one third. In October 2025 Parliament lifted the penalty for sexual connection with a child under 12 to 20 years, equal to adult rape.

Signatures are now being accepted
247 days left
Closing date: 15 Jun 2027 11:59 PM NZST
112621 signed
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Petition progress

  • Open for signatures
  • Closed for signatures
  • Select Committee
  • Reported
  • Referred to Minister
Number of signatures: 112621
Closing date: 15 Jun 2027