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-3

CADRP-3

 

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)

I believe that physical chastising of a child or young person serves no purpose. Parents 'smack' their child usually out of frustration and lack of control.

I was smacked as a child, and whilst I was in no way harmed long term by this, it also never taught me anything. It never stopped me doing what I had been chastised for, I just learnt to be more sneaky.

I believe it is an abuse of power and certainly does not encourage healthy respectful relationships.

The irony of witnessing a parent smacking a child for hitting their sibling can be missed by some. The question that should be asked is what do you hope to teach your child, and how can parents model this???

Children and Young people should have the same rights as adults, in terms of physical 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, I do not have any more reason for this other than what i previously stated.

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 i believe it will make it very clear that no physical chastising of a child is acceptable.

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)

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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)

It is highly likely that there will be an influx in safeguarding referrals in the onset, however i imagine this will dissipate.

Longer term you would hope that there will be more emotionally healthy people in society and therefore an overall decrease.

i would be very interested in the Cost benefit Analyses of the bill.

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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