Closed petition Abolish suspended sentences for any violent crime with a weapon

Closed on 30 May 2024

Amend the Sentencing Bill 2023 to include a clause abolishing suspended sentences for any violent crime with a weapon. Under current laws, an attacker can cause a life-threatening injury causing a permanent irreversible injury or condition and not serve time. We believe this is wrong.

My daughter was stabbed repeatedly in an assault that punctured her lung and left her scarred for life - physically and emotionally. Doctors told her she was lucky to be alive. Yet her attacker - although convicted of grievous bodily harm - walked free from court on a suspended sentence. Because the sentence was for only two years, it could be suspended. I don't want other families to go through the trauma we have, seeing a child's convicted attacker receive only a suspended sentence.