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-624

CADRP-624

 

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?

— Yes

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)

Steps have already been taken to ban the physical punishment in schools. This is the next step in helping protect more children in Wales. The Welsh Government has an amazing opportunity to achieve equality and fairness for their youngest citizens.

There are no benefits to physically punishing children and young people, so why the law still facilitates this practice is strange and public opinion towards this method of punishment is changing.

If an adults cannot assault another adult, why can an adult still assault a child and have a legal defence at the ready to get away with it.

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)

If there is a defence within the confines of the legal system for adults to get away with assaulting a child then legislation is necessary.

Many countries across Europe have already introduced such legislation and none have repealed these laws even if the government in power has changed hands politically.

The Welsh Government has shown itself to put the rights of its citizens front and centre of its policy decisions. This legislation would mean that children in Wales are rightfully protected under assault law.

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)

No.

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 cannot see any unintended consequences of this legislation.

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 cannot see any financial consequences of this legislation.

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)

This bill would make Wales a fairer place for our youngest citizens, reiterating that physical violence is never ok.