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-253

CADRP-253

 

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)

A bill that criminalises (which is what it will do) a huge percentage of loving parents is a foolish move that will increase child abuse as support services are overwhelmed with unnecessary cases. There is no scientific evidence to support the assertion that smacking harms a child and the laws are already in place to protect children from anyone who goes beyond what is reasonable, a position that is very clear in law already.

 

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 - this is a foolish piece of legislation that goes against a huge majority in this country. It is very clear that the vast majority of people in Wales do NOT want to see people being criminalised for smacking. Why would you deliberately push forward legislation that is hugely opposed.

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 more barriers the better. A foolish piece of legislation.

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 idea.

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 - an increase in hidden child abuse. Genuinely violent individuals will be missed by social workers and police as they are called to investigate Mrs Jones who smacked her child on the hand.

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)

Our services are already stretched before we start making criminals out of ordinary parents - why are we even thinking of doing this? The cost to investigate these things will mount and mount so either we will ignore them and then be liable for the consequences when we miss genuine abuse cases or we will divert money from other vital resources like education or the NHS.

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)

Please, please, please listen to the evidence and not dogma and ideology. Don't criminalise the majority of parents in this country. Leave them to bring up their children lovingly and concentrate on those where there is a genuine problem.