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-46

CADRP-46

 

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)

I do not understand why the welsh government is pushing for something that will cause more harm than good. Smacking is not the same as abuse, and is needed in some cases. Removing this defence of reasonable chastisement will remove protections for parents who genuinely care about their children, cause the tax payer to pay for something that is not needed, and criminalise parents who are genuinely doing their best for their children. It's making life harder for good parents, wasting tax payer's money in a climate of financial austerity and putting a burden upon social services that will take time and energy away from cases where they are needed.

The law is working already. The government seem to have the idea that they are doing the right thing, but they are not listening to the public that they represent, and not thinking through the consequences of their beliefs. Children are already protected from harm. I was smacked as a child. I am a healthy adult. I have no resentment towards my parents- if anything I am indebted to them. I work with children and can see that behaviour is something that needs to be learnt. And for some children, in some situations, smacking is the way forward. why erode adult's freedom unnecesarily?

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. children are already protected. If anything, the current law needs to be enforced. tax payers money would be better spent on social services and health visitors to enforce the current law. Too many children are having to stay in dangerous and unhealthy homes with no hope for any change  because social workers are overstretched.

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)

-

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)

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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, I do. If smacking is criminalised, then parents who smack their children will be termed as abusers. The NHS for instance will have to treat such parents as abusers, and these parents risked losing their jobs. this would then affect staff retention in the NHS which is already struggling in the area in which I live. Why punish parents who have done nothing wrong? This bill will harm parents, and employers such as the NHS, which will then have more of an effect on society. It makes no sense to me.

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)

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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 want to ask the government to be open minded about this, and not to think that they know better than everyone else. They have already done some research and admitted that a light infrequent smack does not cause any harm. By writing such a law that will have such negative consequences for a society that is already struggling, comes across as the Welsh government taking the moral high ground at the expense of others. They are overstepping their authority. They are not responsible for bringing up children. Parents are. So I want to ask them not to make it harder for parents.