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-327

CADRP-327

 

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 reason why I don’t support this Bill is because I do not think it right to legislate on parenting. I certainly do not think it wise to deem a corrective smack as an abuse. The vast majority of parents love their children and so it is not right to criminalise them.. I do not see it right that the vast majority of law abiding parents should have to pay the price for the minority of those who do abuse their children by using excessive physical violence.

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)

There is no need to legislate. A code of practice would suffice as well as the provision of a good education. It can start as part of the National Curriculum in schools towards positive parenting.

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)

No - I do not see the Bill as necessary in implementing.

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)

-

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)

I am concerned about the unnecessary man power and time to resource such a Bill plus the enormous amount of hours that would inevitably be spent in determining whether a parent was guilty or not of harming their child. This bill is too heavy handed as parenting does not warrant punishment as many of these parents have mental health and social deprivation issues to deal and cope with.

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 resources of implementing this bill is financially very worrying.. There are so many significant priorities that need financing such as the Education service, social services and especially the NHS and the improvement of GP practices. Resources would be better targeted in helping abusive parents who need assistance in knowing how to bring up their children.

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 consider there should be a bill designed in helping to educate, support and encourage parents on how to bring up their children. Parents who struggle in bringing up children need help – not punishment. A ban on smacking is not the way forward in overcoming the ills of our society.

I am deeply concerned and discouraged that politicians today no longer represent their electorate but primarily seek office to promote and to impose their minority viewpoint agenda on the rest of society and to mis-spend public money.