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-208

CADRP-208

 

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)

Parents have the privilege and responsibility of raising their children and preparing them for life as an adult. This includes teaching, training and loving, reasonable discipline which may, or may not, include smacking.This should be parent's decision not that of the Government. Discipline is a necessary part of bringing up a child and families, society and children themselves suffer when they are not properly disciplined.

Living in England close to the Welsh border I am concerned that local parents could be criminalised for an action when visiting Wales which would be completely lawful at home in England.

 

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, I do not. A ban on smacking is unnecessary. Children are already protected by law from violence and abuse and to describe smacking in the same terms is misleading.

The majority of Welsh adults are against criminalising smacking.

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)

Police and social workers are already stretched to implement the laws currently in place. This bill is likely to considerably increase their workload investigating reports made under statutory duty.

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)

The criminalisation of loving parents and diversion of resources from cases of genuine child abuse.

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)

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