Consultation on the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill

Tystiolaeth i’r Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg ar gyfer craffu Cyfnod 1 Bil Plant (Diddymu Amddiffyniad Cosb Resymol) (Cymru)

Evidence submitted to the Children, Young People and Education Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny of the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill

CADRP-42

CADRP-42

 

About you

Individual

1      The Bill’s general principles

1.1     Do you support the principles of the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill?

— No

1.2     Please outline your reasons for your answer to question 1.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

The state is becoming a parent.  The parent-child relationship must be supported unless you want to pay for a professional no-smacking nanny to all families. Loving parents know their children best - a mild smack as a form of discipline is not the same as abuse.  Smacking is fast and effective form of discipline some require.  How is discipline to be achieved if smacking is not an option?  There is more harm done by giving children sweets so why don't you outlaw them.

1.3     Do you think there is a need for legislation to deliver what this Bill is trying to achieve?

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

No - The Law is fine as it is.

2      The Bill’s implementation

2.1     Do you have any comments about any potential barriers to  implementing the Bill? If no, go to question 3.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

Mass public protests

Huge costs of cases

2.2     Do you think the Bill takes account of these potential barriers?

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

No

3      Unintended consequences

3.1     Do you think there are there any unintended consequences arising from the Bill? If no, go to question 4.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

Smacking classed as abuse will bring confusion into the law against child abuse, dangerous for at-risk children.

Removing the ‘reasonable chastisement defence’ will mean that a parent disciplining their

child with a mild smack would be classed as assault. Banning smacking will inevitably catch

ordinary loving parents and turn them into criminals.

 

4      Financial implications

4.1     Do you have any comments on the financial implications of the Bill (as set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum)? If no, go to question 5.1

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

-

5      Other considerations

5.1     Do you have any other points you wish to raise about this Bill?

(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)

The concept of this Bill is barmy.  You will need to set up a family discipline enforcement service that I can call to ask advice on when my child throws his food on the floor.  If it happens a second time I expect compensation from the fde service for the disciplinary failures.  Maybe you will need a court system to deal with all these cases so that justice is served.