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-391

CADRP-391

 

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 believe that there is already sufficient legislation to protect children from abuse, and loving parental discipline, which under certain circumstances may include a smack, is quite different from abuse.Having raised two children who are now in their twenties and both doing well academically and socially, I can see no harm that has been inflicted upon them by the occasional smack and neither do they themselves when we have spoken of it as they have grown up. Parenting today is no easy task, but the added pressure of being misunderstood and misjudged by someone who may be seeing something without understanding fully the context, will not help. There is a danger that loving and caring parents who wish to exercise discipline for the benefit and good of their children will be criminalised with all the consequences that could result

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 believe that there is already sufficient legislation in place to protect children from abuse and there is no need for further

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)

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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)

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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)

If the present legislation is working then I don't see the need to change it.I do not believe that many have claimed reasonable chastisement as an excuse for abuse in the past. There is also the danger that the police and social services will have more work unnecessarily to do if they have to look into a multitude of cases where there is only a suspicion of reasonable chastisement,which is not a good use of resources.I am not convinced that criminalising parents or removing the children from their care would be the appropriate response for a smack, nor would it be in the best interest of the child. The bond between the parent and child is very precious and special. The welfare of the whole family unit is important and this legislation could have damaging consequences.

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)

We all have concerns for the welfare of children and realise the need to protect them. However I do not believe that such a bill will help families. There are already protections in place and this legislation will only serve to undermine parents and it feels to me that it could result in an unnecessary intrusion into family life by the state. I would far rather see resources put into supporting families with child care help, more money for schools, etc