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-262

CADRP-262

 

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 support the principles of this bill for a number of reasons. It is my strong belief that smacking is an essential part of child discipline and that it is not child abuse but a loving way of showing children the difference between right and wrong when necessary. Children need to be properly disciplined and this needs to include a loving smack where necessary especially with children who are too young to understand a verbal warning. The smacking ban would turn myself as a parent into a criminal overnight simply for wanting to lovingly teach my children the difference between right and wrong. Polls regularly show that over 80% of parents were smacked as children and don't believe their parents are child abusers. The life of the family continues to be eroded and this is another step forward in this and making society even more disjointed than it already is. Why is it the government who should decide if a child can be lovingly smacked for discipline reasons? Surely it is the loving parent's responsibility?

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, I do not. A ComRes poll from 2017 found that 76% of Welsh adults were against criminalising smacking and only 11% were in favour. Why continue to pursue this unnecessary legislation when the majority of parents clearly don't believe it should go ahead? This is unfortunately becoming a recurring theme of the powers that be in this day and age.

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)

The police will be overwhelmed and will miss or not be able to investigate genuine child abuse cases. There is already a law in place for unreasonable chastisement which is sufficient. Parents may also become criminals simply for lovingly disciplining their children and a number of senior politicians in Wales have stated it could lead to a rise in criminal cases which I believe is completely unnecessary.

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, I do not. I believe it has been badly thought through and the Welsh Government is simply not listening to the public. I would pleased with the Welsh Government to reconsider and take into account the public's opinion as well as, most importantly, the safety of those children who are genuinely under a threat of child abuse.

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)

Parents will basically lack the God-given authority to lovingly discipline their children. Authority is seen throughout the Bible and as a Christian I firmly believe that in the right circumstances and in love that physical discipline is appropriate. Ripping up family life simply due to loving authority is simply not right.

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)

As I don't believe the legislation should go ahead it is a definite waste of money which could be used in a number of others places i.e. towards giving more help to the police in investigating genuine crimes.

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)

One more thing to consider is that child on child violence will increase. This was seen in Sweden after they banned smacking in 1979. Parents should have the right to be able to lovingly provide reasonable chastisement. The law does not need to change.