National wants to scrap sexual offender character references. Should NZ go further?

The National Party is pushing to eliminate character references for sexual offenders in New Zealand's sentencing guidelines, a move that aligns with practices in countries like the US, UK, and Canada. This change aims to ensure that punishment fits the crime without considering the offender's personal background. The debate highlights broader questions about justice and rehabilitation in New Zealand, urging a reevaluation of how the country approaches sexual offender sentencing compared to international standards. This shift could have significant implications for the fairness and consistency of the justice system.