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-178	CADRP-178

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 believe that a disciplinary smack appropriately given is reasonable chastisement to correct a child. My own parents disciplined me as such on occasion and I they were loving parents and I trusted their judgment. I have no doubt they had my good at heart. No parent is perfect but I am most thankful for the good upbringing I was given. Child abuse is already illegal. In passing such a bill the welsh assembly will be in danger themselves of committing abuse by criminalising good and loving parents. Children are not adults and it is the responsibility of the parents not the state to nurture and discipline them that they may grow up to be good citizens of our country. Surely some of you there, if not all, members in the welsh assembly received good parenting experiencing the occasional warranted corrective smack from your own parents? Please don't undermine the authority of loving parents which I believe this bill does.

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 as I have mentioned already in the last response child abuse is already illegal and thus sufficient.

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 potential barriers to implementing this bill are the 76% (taken from a poll made) of the people of Wales who say no to making parental smacking a criminal offence. When a parent confiscates some toy or a computer game machine because a child is misusing it or over using it will the parent be charged with stealing as a criminal offence? How far do you want to go?

Another potential barrier is that the police and social workers are going to be inundated with trivial cases in attempts to enforce this possible (impossible) bill and will struggle to stop serious cases of child abuse.

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)

-

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)

Scrap the bill and waste no more tax payers money on it.

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 think I've said that which conveys my views. I completely disagree with this bill and believe it would be to the detriment of children and parents if brought in.