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-485

CADRP-485

 

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?

— Yes

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)

Adults are protected by law from physical violence - why would we teach children that violence is a reasonable response in discipline. As someone who works in the Playwork and Youth Work sector, it is very difficult to differentiate signs and incidents of abuse when there is this grey area of acceptable violence. Abolishing "reasonable punishment" respects children's place in Wales, upholds their human rights and treats them with "due regard" in the rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011.

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)

As with smoking and the use of seat belts in cars, governments introduce new laws to address key public health issues. Physical punishment can cause long term trauma and related negative health that should be treated as a public health issue. The current situation fails to protect children - the UNCRC states that children should have the same legal right to protection from assaults and governments must remove any legal defences which allow them to be physically punished.

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 am confident that Welsh Government has done sufficient background work, evidenced in the Bill's Explanatory Memorandum. I do believe that the bill should be complement by positive parenting resources delivered face-to-face, as well as publicly available, in settings such as Integrated Children's Centres, Community Centres, schools and other suitable venues.

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)

No.

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 reduced cost of dealing with ACEs later in life will mitigate any financial implications of the Bill.

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 believe this would be a great opportunity for Wales to lead the way in protecting future generations in Wales. ACEs have long-term and often profound implications for individuals which would be greatly reduced by the introduction of this Bill. As someone who works with children, this Bill would be a clear indication that violence is never a reasonable response to challenging behaviour and it is the responsibility of the adult to reframe their own behaviour to positively interact with a child.