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-140

CADRP-140

 

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 proposal is in my not fit for purpose. The plans also may criminalise parents in Wales. The state ought to be helping good parenting, not seeking to criminalise mothers and fathers. This level of state intrusion into the freedom of families is far to much. I believe that the plans will divert from genuine causes of the evil of child abuse. The current law in England and Wales is adequate, as the law already protects children from unreasonable physical harm. Reasonable parental discipline and chastisement is should never be a criminal offence. Smacking is not child abuse.

    Banning smacking would overwhelm an already overworked and unfunded police force and social workers, which may led to children subjected to actual abuse missing out of the help and protection they need. To suggest that loving parents are guilty of abuse or violence is extremely misleading. 

   I belief it is up to the individual parent to decide is smacking their child is appropriate, not the Government of the day. Many supports of the proposal suggest that children should have the same protection and rights as adults. However, children are not adults. There are many laws that treat minors differently to those who are over the age of 18.

   A ComRes poll in 2017 suggests that the majority of adults in Wales are against these plans. The results found that 76 percent were against banning smacking and only 11 percent in support of a ban.

   These plans will result in a generation of children who are undisciplined. This is bad for society and the future of the country. A recent poll showed that over 80 percent of adults were smacked as a child and did not think they were abused. smacking is used to warn children of danger and it a deterrent.

  With all this said I would call on the Welsh Assembly to drop the plans. 

   

 

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

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)

Answered above

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)

Yes, answered above

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)

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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)

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