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-325

CADRP-325

 

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 discipline of children would be taken out of the hands of parents if they wished to discipline with a controlled smack.  If a child is disciplined properly in a loving way then there is no need for the state to interfere.  It would take away a parent's rights and essentially criminalise them.

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 I don't.  There is already a law which protects children from physical abuse and no further bill is needed.

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)

I would be grateful for any barriers as I don't think it is needed.

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 don't know.

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 could be criminalised and children removed from loving parents.  Parents could potentially lose their jobs because of criminal records and be prevented from obtaining further jobs.  Children could be taken out of a loving home which would affect both them and their parents in a very detrimental way.

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 implications financially could be huge with the extra workload for the police, social services and probably schools, perhaps having to employ extra staff to keep an eye on children.  Parents too, if losing their jobs, could have to rely on benefits.  The financial implications could be enormous.

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)

The state is trying to get too involved when families should be left to parent in a loving way.  Children are not adults and do not have the same rights as adults and need to be disciplined in a loving way as parents see fit.  A smack administered in a loving way could never be called child abuse and many children, when grown up, look back and are grateful to their parents for the way they have been disciplined and guided.  I do not believe that a gentle smack would encourage children to hit out at other children.