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-651

CADRP-651

 

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)

• The current law is not clear.

• Equality-It’s because children should have the same protection from assault as adults do.

• Children’s Rights - The change will help realise children’s rights to Article 19- protection from violence and abuse.

• Physical punishment is harmful for children and leads to poorer outcomes.

• Physical punishment does not work

I strongly believe that Wales should lead the way in the UK towards making it clear in law that assaulting a child is abuse and is not ok.  Being able to provide clear guidelines to parents about what is ok and what is not ok is essential.

I recently stepped in to a situation where an adult was being verbally abusive towards the child - there were numerous adults present, as well and a number of security personnel.  Not one of them stepped in - giving the reason that it was ok for a parent to discipline their own child.  If that adult had been talking to another adult in that way, there is no doubt that the security people would have intervened.   Although this was not physical, I  think that it highlights the misguided views of some adults and a clear law would go someway in informing people of all children's rights to be safe from harm.

 

 

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)

Yes

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)

-

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)

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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)

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