SPCS

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS INC.

Workplace internet porn watching leads to dismissal of company employee

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Storeman viewed “graphic and objectionable” porn to ‘take his mind off demanding work’.

Looking at internet porn at work earned a man the sack, despite his excuse that he did it only to take his mind off his demanding job.

Reginald Hiha was dismissed in August 2011 from his position as storeman at Mico Bathrooms in Mt Maunganui after being caught looking at pornography.

Employment Relations Authority member Anna Fitzgibbon said Mr Hiha explained he would look at the material to “take his mind off work, which he was finding demanding”.

He said he would have been embarrassed if anyone knew of the sites he was viewing so he took care other staff would not see.

But despite his attempts at secrecy, Mr Hiha was spotted by a female staff member while he was looking at the pornographic images, and she complained to branch manager Malcolm Peden.

After investigating Mr Hiha’s internet history, the company called him to a meeting to discuss the issue.

Mr Hiha admitted he had accessed the internet to view pornography regularly during a three-month period before his dismissal, but did not agree that this constituted a serious breach of the company’s policy.

He told Mr Peden the material was only pictures with the occasional video and was “not harsh and . . . only people”.

After disciplinary proceedings and a further meeting, a decision was made to dismiss Mr Hiha.

For more see: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/7824708/Storeman-viewed-porn-to-take-his-mind-off-work

Fidelity in marriage an issue for gay men – NZ Herald article by lecturer and author – Laurie Guy

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All you need is love. That is the theme song of pro-same-sex marriage proponents. It is the slogan of Louisa Wall, author of the same-sex marriage bill. If two gay people love each other and want to “marry”, why don’t we allow this? But is love enough?

In answering that question, we need to be aware of two other questions: what is marriage? And why is the state involved? The latter question is crucial, because the core issue is one of affirmation, not rights – rights can be dealt with by specific legislation without amending the Marriage Act and upsetting lots of people.

Apart from conveying rights, marriage provides affirmation that the state/society encourages this relationship as a good thing. A crucial question is whether gay relationships are such a good thing as to be endorsed by society as “marriage”.

We should look at the issue of social endorsement through four lenses: love, commitment, health, and society’s interests.

Let’s begin with love. What is “love”? The word covers a raft of sometimes contrary meanings, from sexual desire centred on “my” self-gratification, to heroic self-giving for another. Both heterosexual and same-sex unions may well pass (or fail) this test. The love issue does not debar same-sex marriages.

However, love alone is not enough. It can be fleeting and transient. If marriage is to be serious and not trivial, it needs longevity, buttressed by commitment and faithfulness.

What of gay commitment and faithfulness? Long-term lesbian relationships on average may well be as committed and faithful as that of an average married heterosexual couple. The problem is the gay men.

Some male gay couples are as committed and faithful as typical married heterosexuals. Survey evidence, however, indicates that these are very much a minority.

Significant data on male homosexual behaviour is available through New Zealand Medical Journal articles and the New Zealand Aids Foundation website. The Aids Foundation and the Aids Epidemiology Group at the University of Otago have conducted biennial surveys, the Auckland Gay Periodic Sex Surveys, for the past decade.

The 2010 results covered the sexual behaviour of 1527 gay men in 2008. On the commitment side, the survey indicates that the most common number of sexual partners for gay men over the previous six months was two to five. Just 38.8 per cent of those surveyed had a partner of more than six months’ standing (i.e. relationships with some level of commitment).

However, 52 per cent of these men had also had sex in that period (six months) with other partners. So despite the rhetoric of love and commitment, most male gay couples are not in a genuinely monogamous relationship. Should the meaning of “marriage” be broadened under such circumstances?

There is also the health issue. Male-to-male coupling typically has far greater health risks (because of high levels of anal sex). Both with casual and with “boyfriend” sex the percentage engaging in anal sex is over 80 per cent. Anal sex is never fully safe. Although condoms reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/Aids) by around 85-90 per cent, risk remains (because of user misuse or product failure).

Risk is far greater without condom protection. Although 98 per cent of those surveyed knew that anal sex without a condom is very high risk for HIV transmission, 73 per cent did not use a condom at least once in the past six months (the figure for casual sex was 31 per cent).

The result is high levels of sexually transmitted infections amongst gay men. Over 60 per cent of new infectious syphilis cases are gay men. This category also has high rates of gonorrhoea and hepatitis. And 76 per cent of all new HIV diagnoses in 2000-2009 were gay men.

Can we affirm male gay relationships to the level of “marriage”, given the data on faithfulness and health? One can argue change on the basis of “me”, “my rights” and “choice”. But the debate is also about the good of society.

What society needs are stable, faithful, healthy relationships. Stable marriage has gravely weakened in the last generation. There is deep hurt and scarring of many, especially children, as a consequence.

In a direct sense gay “marriage” will not make this worse. Indirectly, however, it will, because it makes marriage, which for many is becoming vague and fuzzy, vaguer and fuzzier still. It is social engineering – with its negative aspects ignored.

We need to have a deep and wide debate, looking at all factors. The same-sex marriage debate is currently far too simplistic. The draft bill is a daft bill.

Laurie Guy is author of Worlds in Collision: The Gay Debate in New Zealand 1960-1986 (Victoria University Press, 2002). He lectures in church history at Auckland University’s school of theology, and also at Carey Baptist College.

Source: Fidelity in marriage an issue for gay men. 31 August 2012

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10830082

Note: The Objects of the Society for Promotion of Community Standards Inc. include: “To focus attention on the harmful nature and consequences of sexual promiscuity ……” (s. 2d of Constitution).

Dangers of Family Planning Association and Rainbow Youth Sex Ed Agendas Highlighted to School Boards nationwide

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Family First NZ, a registered charity and lobby group, has highlighted to school boards nationwide the dangers of the agenda behind the sex education programmes run in schools by two registered charities that are lobby groups – the New Zealand Family Planning Association Inc (FPA) and Rainbow Youth Inc. Its Media Release issued today “Schools Informed Of Agenda of Sex Ed Groups”, highlights that these lobby groups, along with the registered charity/lobby group – the New Zealand AIDS Foundation – are “perpetuating the myth that as long as you use a condom, you can pretty well do what you like in terms of promiscuity, experimentation, and fringe behaviours …” The Media Release dated Monday 27 August 2012 states:

Schools Informed Of Agenda of Sex Ed Groups

Family First NZ as sent a DVD presentation entitled “YOU’RE TEACHING MY CHILD WHAT? Sex Education: A Psychiatrist Calls Foul” to every school principal and every Board of Trustees in New Zealand, highlighting the dangers of Family Planning and Rainbow Youth’s sex education programmes, resources and websites which fail to tell the full facts and which compromise the concerns and wishes of parents, and the safety of young people. The presenter, Miriam Grossman, M.D., is a US-based board certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist.

“Dr. Grossman’s mission is to highlight the dangers of the anything-goes, condom-based approach to sexual health. With examples from cutting edge research, she proves that sex is a serious matter, and can never be ‘casual’, especially for girls. In the DVD, she also reports on her examination of NZ-based educational resources and websites hosted by groups such as Family Planning, Rainbow Youth and others – many funded by the government, available to schools, and targeted at students,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

Family First is especially concerned about websites such as curious.org.nz, theword.org.nz, getiton.co.nz and a number of Family Planning pamphlets. Interestingly, the curious.org.nz website has been offline since Dr Grossman’s visit.

“The current approach in NZ sows confusion about right and wrong and says the moral absolute is – use condoms. The government should fund evidence-based education resources which are approved by parents rather than saying one thing to parents and another to their children. Family Planning receives more than $11m from the government of which $2.6m is for education,” says Mr McCoskrie.

A survey of parents in 2010 found that three out of four parents of young children want the abstinence message taught in sex education – with 69% of kiwis overall supporting the ‘wait’ message.

“Judging by the current approach’s results – which is a good place to start – sex education has been an utter failure. New Zealand has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the OECD, our STD rates are out of control, and the number of teenage girls having abortions is tragically high.”

“Groups like the Family Planning Association and the AIDS Foundation are perpetuating the myth that as long as you use a condom, you can pretty well do what you like in terms of promiscuity, experimentation, and fringe behaviours – with little or no information on the physical or emotional ramifications or prevention of disease.”

Family First NZ is calling for the government to withdraw funding of Family Planning and Rainbow Youth’s sex education programmes, resources and websites.

ENDS

Please note: Some of the material highlighted by Dr Grossman can be seen here

http://familyfirst.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Slides.ppt (Warning – contains offensive material)

For More Information and Media Interviews, contact Family First:

Bob McCoskrie – National Director

Smartphone application linked to gay syphilis epidemic according to Sexual Health Clinic senior clinician

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A new smartphone application is fanning a syphilis epidemic outbreak among Canterbury’s young gay men, a doctor says.

Christchurch Sexual Health Clinic senior clinician Heather Young said gay men would usually contract syphilis after meeting at venues such as clubs, saunas or brothels but this year there had been an increase in men meeting electronically.

“In 2011, sex-on-site venues were associated with 50 per cent of syphilis cases but in 2012 it is more commonly found after use of internet dating sites or the Grindr app,” she said.

Grindr is a free social networking app for gay men. The app uses GPS to notify members when there is another gay man nearby.

Young said gay men needed to be aware of the outbreak and should “take responsibility” by ensuring they were tested.

“People think syphilis is an old infection that is not associated with the modern day but it is re-emerging globally,” she said.

Christchurch homosexual Dixie McGregor said Grindr was “the new and popular” way to meet other gay men.

McGregor, who does not have the app, did not think it was responsible for the rise in syphilis cases: “It’s just the new thing at the moment but no matter how you meet someone it’s still up to the individual to make sure they are having safe sex.”

Canterbury District Health Board clinical director of sexual health Ed Coughlan said the syphilis epidemic had got worse in recent months.

“It’s difficult to say why it’s increased recently but once it’s in the community, among the men who have sex with men population, it’s just very infectious, so it’s just spreading.”

He said the average age of people contracting the sexually transmitted disease had dropped from 46 to 24, with men as young as 19 being affected.

Coughlan said there were eight reported cases in 2011. So far this year there had been 22.

“If it carries on this way we’ll be looking at a fourfold increase and that’s quite concerning,” he said.

“Some people have reported having female sexual partners, so of course that poses another risk but this year it has been only men who have been affected in Canterbury.”

An Environmental Science and Research report showed there was 83 syphilis cases reported last year in New Zealand.

SYPHILIS FACTS

The disease is passed through direct contact with a syphilis sore.

Early-stage symptoms include mouth and genital ulcers, hair loss and rashes.

In its early stages, the disease is easily treated with a penicillin injection.

Late stages of the disease can cause paralysis, blindness, dementia or premature death.

Source: Phone app link to gay syphilis epidemic

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/7545561/Phone-app-link-to-gay-syphilis-epidemic

Note:  Section 2(d) of the SPCS Constitution “Objects” commences:

“To focus attention on the harmful nature and consequences of sexual promiscuity …….” [Emphasis added]

Predator teacher ‘flagged’ in 1999 but gets OK from New Zealand Teachers’ Council

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A Northland deputy principal who has admitted sexually abusing pupils was flagged as a potential predator in 1999 as a student teacher but signed off as suitable anyway.

Despite a further warning in 2009 – that time by police – he was allowed to continue as a teacher for 11 years until his arrest last month.

Concerns about James Parker were first lodged with the Teachers’ Council when he was a provisional teacher, having newly started in the profession.

Parker pleaded guilty in Kaitaia District Court this week to 49 charges of indecent assault, performing an indecent act and of unlawful sexual connection.

The attacks, on boys aged under 16, occurred over nearly eight years at Pamapuria School.

Teachers’ Council director Peter Lind said concerns surrounding Parker’s ability to work around children began when he was teaching on a provisional licence at another school.

Concerns were lodged with the Teachers Registration Board, now known as the Teachers’ Council.

“We had contact in 1999 from the school and there were concerns raised about his professional boundaries,” he said.

“But the school did not want those concerns taken any further and his application to move from a provisional registration to a full registration was made by that school some months later.”

A decade later police received a complaint from a child via a parent and investigated Parker.

They could not gather enough evidence at the time to prosecute Parker and instead wrote to the school to alert the board of trustees about concerns.

However, the board did not act on the letter, did not advise the Education Review Office and did not advise the Teachers’ Council.

Mr Lind said because of the original 1999 contact, if concerns were raised again an alert status would have been activated on Parker.

“But the council itself received no further concerns about professional performance about this particular teacher.”

Pamapuria School principal Stephen Hovell has been stood down during the investigation and could not be contacted.

The Pamapuria board of trustees has resigned and a commissioner has been put in to run the school.

Detective Inspector Karyn Malthus said yesterday that children were interviewed in 2009 and the matter could not be substantiated.

“Police reject any suggestion that we were responsible for any inaction. We took all steps possible within the law to make the appropriate notifications,” she said.

“Police did interview Parker and notified the school of their remaining concerns.

“We could not sustain any allegations and were therefore limited in what we could do.”

Ms Malthus said charges were laid when further evidence came to light recently.

That investigation continues despite Parker’s guilty plea on Wednesday.

Police were continuing to work with Child, Youth and Family and the Education Ministry in supporting the victims and their families, Ms Malthus said.

Parker’s fall from grace has come in the same week former ombudsman Mel Smith released a report into how sex offender Te Rito Henry Miki managed to evade detection and work as a teacher at six schools.

Mr Smith said what happened with Parker matched what he uncovered with Miki – there were several organisations and individuals that should have acted but who dropped the ball.

Mr Smith said the Government had accepted or partially accepted 36 of his 39 recommendations but had yet to put them into practice.

Even with his recommendations implemented, offences could still occur, he said. But the process would be sufficiently “tight” to ensure it was more likely that offending teachers would be detected early.

“You’ve got to remember that there are more than 70,000 registered teachers . . . and then there are all the other people involved in school, from caretakers through to contractors.”

Source: The Dominion Post, Friday, August 24, 2012, p. A4.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/7538086/Predator-teacher-flagged-in-1999

Fairfax NZ News story.