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-170	CADRP-170

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)

Children have to have some discipline.  Smacking should only be as a last resort when all else has failed.  A smack (not a beating) at the right time by a loving parent will teach children the right way.

When children know that  parents are not allowed to smack them when necessary they will grow up believing that they can do what they like and get away with it and this will certainly have an impact in adult life.

Don't you think that we already have enough problems in this country because of a lack of parental discipline?

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

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)

Yes as above

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)

No

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.  There will be huge pressure on our already overstretched resources when good parents will be arrested for simply trying to teach their children the right way. 

There are already laws in place to protect children who are abused.

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)

Finances are already overstretched.  If you have any spare money it would be better spent on teaching really bad parents how to look after their children properly or making the life of abused children better.

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)

We were disciplined as children and even though I can't remember being smacked, the threat was there when we misbehaved and that was enough.  We grew up to be responsible adults who respected the law of the  land.

You will be making a huge mistake in passing this bill as the future will reveal.  We already have enough problems for you to deal with in this country.