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-228

CADRP-228

 

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?

— Partly

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)

This is a very difficult debate.  I feel that parents who routinely smack their children will continue to do so and as often happens when rules are put in place, it merely highlights restrictions and people some people will do it even more to rebel.

For children too young to reason with and in dangerous situations it is a shock tactic and does not need to be hard.  In the case of a three year old for example running across the rd.  If I needed and I did, to do that to keep my child alive I would not want a Gov dictating otherwise.

So basically, the real perpetrators will continue although it will be driven underground while responsible parents will suffer and what will they get?  I am guessing fined because what else can  happen? Not to mention acts of malice and false reporting.

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, or at the very least, ages and circumstances need careful consideration.

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)

Yes, what I have discussed on Q1

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)

I would hope so.

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)

Innocent parents penalised.  Name and shame while true perpetrators stay hidden. Financial implications.  Confusion.  Malice from other parents. Lack of control - we already hear children in schools shouting 'you cant touch me what are you going to do?' and look at the lack of discipline and control schools and teachers face which impacts other children.

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)

Ridiculous waste of money and resources on a bill that will be very hard to implicate.  Money would be better spent on parenting classes and education in schools to teach the new generation better methods of chastise.

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)

Only that I do not feel any of our points will be taken into consideration to the point that I almost did not wish to complete this, and if the Welsh Gov want to make the bill they will do so regardless.  I have 0% faith in any Government right now taking into consideration peoples opinions and democratic rights.