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-169	CADRP-169

About you

Name: Debbie Whyte

Role: Creche Co-ordinator

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 don't believe anyone has the right to physically punish another person regardless of age.

Adults have rights against physical punishment already so I don't understand why this is not an offence if the victim is under 18.

Under UNCRC children have the right to be safe and, in my opinion, being "reasonably punished" by being physically attacked, especially by the people that are supposed to be caring for them, will also give the child mixed messages about what being safe actually means.  They are told that nobody should be allowed to hurt them yet parents and carers are still under the archaic impression that they can use "reasonable punishment" as an excuse to smack a child

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)

I do think there is need for legislation but I also believe that it will be difficult to enforce as most of this type of assault happens in the family homes and children grow up believing it is right.  There needs to be plenty of publicity to highlight the consequences of physically punishing 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)

As 1.2 above - I think it will be difficult to police as most of this type of assault happens in the family homes.

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)

I think that in principle the Bill takes care of this barrier but actually putting that into practice will be difficult

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 think there is a slight risk that some people might consider that if they are going to be charged for an offence by physically punishing their child they may see it as an excuse to make the charge worth it so they may do more than a smack

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)

No

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)

No