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-282

CADRP-282

 

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 current law deals with child abuse for the protection of the child against physical and emotional abuse. So I'm unclear as to what your new bill is aiming to deal with. From what I read to date there is no rational to supporting this new bill other than other countries had done it and in most is symbolic.

To put caring parents, grandparents main carers in the same category as child abusers who poison, beat, break arms/legs, punch, degenerate a child is beyond belief. Therefore I do not support your bill which will criminalise caring parents. 

 

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. There is already a bill which deals with child abuse.

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 because it is a stupid bill to implement. No normal person would support this bill. Who wants to call the police on a parent who lightly smacks the back of a hand of a child with the aim of protecting the child from danger.

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. Parents will lose their jobs. Names placed on police data base. Police don't respond to many reported crimes eg, robbery, burglary, car damage -- due to capacity issues so would be in unable to enforce this bill. Also, how to identify the abuse like a tap 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)

-

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)

I cannot support this bill in any shape or form. I will not be supporting labour if this bill is passed. It's just a ludicrous proposal. Education/support is the way forward if you hae the evidence that this is a real problem.