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-70	CADRP-70

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)

Smacking is NOT child abuse. There is a big difference between smacking and parental discipline. The law already protects children against violence and it is completely wrong to describe  loving  parental discipline (smack) as abuse.

Banning smacking will criminalise caring parents and will overwhelm all the services such as social workers and police.

Smacking is often used to warn children of dangers before they are old enough to understand a verbal warning. Making it a crime will jeopardise children's safety.

It is the role of the parent to decide on how to discipline their child/children and not the state or government. The state or government should not use criminal law to regulate parenting.

In 2017 a 'comres' poll found that 76% of Welsh adults were AGAINST criminalising smacking with ONLY 11% in favour.

Most adults were smacked when they were children and polls routinely show that OVER 80% do not think their parents were child abusers.

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)

NO  SEE ABOVE

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)

The bill should be dropped

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)

The bill should be dropped

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)

The bill should be dropped

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)

The bill should be dropped

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)

The bill should be dropped