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-181

CADRP-181

 

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 am extremely concerned that the Bill would criminalise loving parents who are utterly, utterly opposed to all cruelty and abuse of children, but who, along with the vast majority of people throughout the world, throughout the ages, see loving physical punishment as one appropriate means of raising their children.

Enforcing the Bill will be almost impossible.

The Government's own publication document recognises that there is no evidence that light, infrequent physical discipline, in the context of a loving parenting dynamic has any negative outcomes whatsoever.

I am extremely worried at the state's intrusion into family life.

 

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. The reasonable defence legislation already legislates against the harsh, cruel or abusive treatment of children. The new bill is utterly redundant.

Moreover, the reasonable defence exception has been rarely used in Wales in 10 years--in other words, this whole exercise in a demonstration of virtue signalling, rather than seeking to close a loophole that has been repeatedly used over the years. There is no loophole.

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 - numerous:

1. Criminalising loving parents. The potential of ripping families apart is terrifying.

2. If the Bill is genuinely intended on being enforced (which I imagine will be highly improbable), police and social services would be overrun with cases to follow up--meaning legitimate unreasonable cases of abuse would be lost in the long grass. This is a grievous misuse of priorities.

3. Significant financial cost - when schools, NHS, prisons are are failing, why spend money we don't have on this Bill?

4. Employees will lose jobs - e.g. healthcare professionals, teachers, social work, police - if they're wrongly charged with abusing their children.

5. Total confusion when crossing the border. What happens if a) Welsh people go on holiday to England, or b) English people come to Wales and in either instance they lovingly smack their child? Utter confusion.

6. State intrusion into family life looks more Communist Russia than Western Wales.

 

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)

Yes - this will cost large amounts of money, which should be used elsewhere.

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 urge you to reconsider putting this Bill forward, and instead listen to the chorus of concern.