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-54

CADRP-54

 

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 think common sense should prevail and that parents should be allowed to chatise/smack their children as reasonable chastisement/discipline.  Banning smacking would criminalise parents who love their children and wish to discipline them in this way.  It would be undue interference in family life.   There is no evidence to show smacking is harmful.  Parents have smacked children for centuries with no harmful effect and there is already legislation in place to prevent abuse of children.  This distinction should be kept.

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)

There is no need for legislation to prevent smacking.  Legislation against abuse of children is in place and enforcement of that should be used rather than further restrict parents from carrying out reasonable chastisement to discipline their children.

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)

Yes.  A loving parent could be criminalised for discipling their child, or even have their child removed.  It is an unreasonable law, lacking common sense and hence innocent parents will suffer and their children too if the law is passed as the parents could be accused of abuse.  Real abuse is then watered down rather than kept separate from reasonable chastisement.

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)

Better to put the money to better use in enforcing current legislation  to protect children being abused rather than wasting money on criminalising good parents.

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 don't like to see the State interfering more and more in family life.  Discipline should be left to parents and their common sense.  Children today suffer from a lack of discipline in my observation so to further restrict reasonable discipline is a step in the wrong direction.