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-202

CADRP-202

 

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)

My reason(s) for not supporting the principles of the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill.   Where I feel the protection of abused children is of paramount importance, I do feel this bill is a large step in the wrong direction, a parent should not be criminalised for disciplining their children. It should be the decision of the parent and not the government as to whether they use smacking as part of that discipline. I see this bill as a further erosion of the family unit which is the basis of any society. You don't need to be a psychologist to know that a child without discipline will very soon be out of control, will probably end up in care and by the time he becomes an adult will be a candidate for an already stretched prison system. Children need to be taught boundaries , and if a parent decides that smacking is part of enforcing those boundaries, then I believe that is his God given right to be able to bring up his children properly.

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 there is an enormous difference between child abuse and proper (child centred and loving) parental discipline, this bill is not realising that difference, and will criminalise parents for doing what they are supposed to do.

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)

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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, Within a generation the already stretched police and prison services will be overwhelmed with those un-disciplined children who don't know how to live in a civilised society. You can see an example of this already in our schools, the government has to offer great incentives for teachers to join or stay in the profession, why? because the government removed the power of a schoolteacher to apply discipline.

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)

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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)

There is a wave of opinion that children have rights, I agree of course they do, but a child is not above his parent, a child needs to be taught and moulded into a happy, balanced, law keeping member of society, the only way parents can achieve this it through their own example and loving discipline, and that discipline may involve an element of physical restraint / smacking. Obviously those who abuse children need to be sought out and brought to justice, but I feel very strongly that criminalising parents for smacking their children is heading in a direction that will damage families and ultimately will damage our society.