Parentstop, Donegal’s free and confidential parent support service, is advocating for a YES vote in the Children’s Referendum. Parentstop Manager, Patricia Lee, said the service is asking people to vote YES because “This referendum is a chance to bring our laws in line with our values as a society – and how we now view children. A YES vote will make a real and positive difference to the lives of children in Ireland. As we approach the final days of the campaign, I am asking you to join us and take part in a final push to inform the electorate, get out to vote and deliver a resounding ‘Yes’ for children”.
Patricia went on to highlight some of the “facts” from the Yes Campaign. There were 1,500 confirmed cases of child abuse in 2011. If a YES vote is successful then, for the first time, the Constitution will take a child-centred approach to child protection and will put an onus on the State to better support families. Patricia also pointed to the almost 2,000 children living in long term State care, who would finally be eligible for adoption in cases where the child cannot successfully return to their birth family. And she stated that 65% of children are not asked their opinion in court decisions affecting them. The changes will mean that for the first time, judges must listen to the views of children when making their decision in court cases relating to custody or child protection.
The Children’s Referendum takes place on Saturday November 10th 2012. The referendum will decide whether our Constitution is updated to strengthen the protection of children in Irish law. Parentstop encourages parents to vote yes for children’s rights and for young people aged 18 and over to vote for those young people who have not yet reached voting age.
Five Reasons to Vote YES in Children’s Referendum*:
· Children will have their rights protected in the constitution
· All children will get the same protection from the state
· All children will have a chance to grow up in a loving and stable family
· When a decision is made about a child, it will be made in the best interests of that child
· Children will have a right to be heard when decisions are made about them
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