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-217

CADRP-217

 

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)

If the Defence of Reasonable Punishment was used quite often in cases of child abuse then there might possibly be a reason for introducing some type of law.

In the last 10 years in Wales it has never been used as a defence.

The present law in relation to child abuse is quite adequate and all institutions and police involved in child abuse understand the existing law.

Where this type of law has been introduced such as New Zealand there have been cases where the High Court has had to be involved in order to quash incorrectly convicted parents.

In Sweden there has been an increase in child violence since a similar law was introduced.

The Welsh Government should concentrate on areas where there has been in increase in abuse such as the sexual abuse of children. Examples to date in Wales shows that there should be increased scrutiny of AMs to ensure they are not involved in child pornography and the recent example of the abuse of young girls in Barry highlights there should be greater scrutiny of local authorities, institutions and police.

The onus should be getting your own house in order before preaching to others (parents) about their conduct.

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 but there should be greater scrutiny as mentioned above.

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)

The police already have great difficulty in administering the existing laws with regard to child abuse drugs and knife crime. They are undermanned and superimposing this proposed law will mean another additional task that the police will find difficult to enforce.

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 as mentioned above the police, courts and institutions will become embroiled in unnecessary implementation to the detriment of more important matters such as sexual abuse and drugs.

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)

The police will need increased resources.

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)

No