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-103

CADRP-103

 

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 was smacked growing up and can see the benefits of it. I know that my parents only ever smacked me in love, it would be a crime in itself to see them criminalised for it! Not only them, but a smacking ban would turn thousands of parents into potential criminals overnight while doing little to stop bad parents abusing children. Smacking is not child abuse. There is a clear difference between child abuse and loving parental discipline, and anyone who was smacked as a child should be able to recognise that. In fact most adults were smacked when they were children – polls routinely show over 80% – but do not think their parents were child abusers.

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. The law already protects children from violence. Furthermore, it should be the role of a parent to decide whether to smack their child, not the Government. The state should not use the criminal law to regulate 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)

-

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)

It is likely to overwhelm police and social workers with trivial reports leaving real cases of child abuse neglected.

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)

A 2017 ComRes poll found that 76% of Welsh adults were against criminalising smacking, while only 11% were in favour.