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-219

CADRP-219

 

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)

Parents hold the right to discipline their children in a loving corrective way that is not abusive. This can include a smack to warn the child when he/she is partaking in an activity which is dangerous to themselves or others. This kind of disciplinary method has been practiced for centuries with positive results. Sacking is not the same as child abuse. Child abuse is wrong and the law already defends children from this type of physical harm done to them by their parents. Their is no need to criminalise a loving parent who is training their child to learn right from wrong. The order of our society depends on parents instructing, training and nurturing their children - smacking a child on the back of the legs or hands is a way that a child can learn to avoid behaviour that is harmful to themselves or others which is immediate. The small amount of pain experienced by the young toddler or child may upset them momentarily but it will serve them well in the future as their minds will be trained to avoid behaviour that is harmful to themselves or others in the future when their actions and choices have the ability to cause more damage. Training a child with a loving disciplinary smack can serve to spare harm to many in the future.

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 aw already protects children from child abuse.

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)

It is the parents role to train and discipline their children not the governments role. The governments role is to protect life and property, they are not to invade the family home and dictate how parents should discipline their children.

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. It is intrusive into family life where law is not necessary or right.

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. Firstly, the creeping intrusion of the State in family affairs is a slippery slope. The role of the parents as disciplinarians in their children's life should be upheld for the good of society. If this bill is passed I fear that it will undermine the authority of the parents in households across Wales, which in turn will prevent children to get the necessary training they need before they enter independently into society. This could have drastic effects such as an increase in crime within our youth.

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)

-