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-441	CADRP-441

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)

Firstly, I believe the current level of legislation is sufficient to protect children and punish people who abuse their parental role. Possibly more importantly I do not believe harsher legislation would provide better protection and may actually harm children by removing reasonable methods of guidance.

Secondly, it is apparent from the nature of the bill and consultation material that the people involved have a heavy bias against any physical punishment, and, without considering the true impact of such a bill, have attempted to gather evidence to support their idea. This has led to unbalanced and misrepresentative statistics.

Thirdly, I believe trying to force changes by legislation in this area is hamfisted and disruptive to families, it is likely to lead to further fear of physical contact and a lack of protection for adults against unreasonable allegations, this is likely to further lead to children being left to run wild without proper guidance, which is well known to be against their best interests.

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)

My reply in 1.2 should be sufficient. In a word, no. Current legislation is adequate to provide the best protection for children that the government can offer.

Furthermore I believe the aims of the bill are fundamentally flawed and will in fact be harmful.

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)

I believe the unintended consequences will be greater than the intended. See my earlier comments in 1.2 and 1.3.

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)

I believe the new legislation would put a greater and unnecessary strain on departments that are already struggling with finances, an overload of work, and a lack of staff. Furthermore, since our governments are already in deficit we should be attempting to increase efficiency of expenditure and not increase the expenditure itself.

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)

I believe I have made all my actual points.

One last thing, the writers of this bill should be ashamed of themselves for wasting taxpayer money on a personal vendetta.