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-51

CADRP-51

 

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)

To remove the ability to administer mild correction in the form of a smack is to undermine yet further the parental responsibility. A mild smack is NOT abuse, and is needful if a child is to be TRAINED by loving 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, definitely not. There are already laws in place to protect vulnerable children from actual abuse. These laws should be enforced when actual abuse is happening. Smacking is not abuse - it is a parental right in a loving context to rebuke and correct a child, and to stop him/her from danger - ie running into the road, putting a hand in the fire etc!

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)

-

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 there are many.

 Parents would be criminalised for smacking their children in the same way as those who do actually abuse their children. This is totally out of step with the public's opinion on this matter.

An already overstretched NHS would be put under much greater strain.

Parents branded as criminals for correcting their child/children with a mild smack would potentially lose jobs, maybe even housing etc.

Loving, caring families, prepared to love their children enough to discipline them, would be split apart and great distress would be caused not only to the parents, but to the children as well.

 

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)

This Bill seems to be totally out of step with the general opinion of the public at large. Again, this is a Bill which is being pushed through by a vociferous minority, like many other Bills of latter days! To make a parent a criminal for administering a mild smack, to correct, punish, warn etc is nothing short of crazy! I guess that most of us had, and are grateful that we did have, loving parents who were willing to give us a mild smack as a reminder that we must not do that again! Were our parents/grandparents criminals? The question is not even worthy of an answer! When is the Welsh Government going to start thinking sensibly and responsibly and stop being influenced by the very vocal minority who have a agenda of their own making?