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-101

CADRP-101

 

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 am concerned that the bill confuses gentle smacking as part of loving parental discipline with child abuse.

I am concerned that it will criminalise loving parents and affect family trust and relationships.

I think it is up to parents to decide how best to discipline their children based on their intimate, loving relationship with them. Every child is different and some respond better to smacking than other forms of discipline.

I think it will put unnecessary strain on already over stretched police and social services.

I don’t think the bill is needed because the current law works as protection against discipline that is too harsh and against child abuse.

I also wonder why you are pursuing this when polls show that a majority of people in Wales do not agree with a smacking ban. I thought assembly members were elected to represent us.

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. See above

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)

Yes.

Strain on social services and police. See above.

Why are you pursuing this? It is not needed and most of the electorate don’t want it. See polls.

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)

No

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 think if parents are prosecuted it will be very detrimental to family life and relationships.

I also think that the police and social services will waste a lot of time on this which would otherwise be spent on dealing with actual child abuse.

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)

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