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-220

CADRP-220

 

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)

If this bill is passed it will have many negatives and not many positives. It won’t deter or stop “bad parents” who hit and abuse they children. They will completely disregard any new law. What the law would do is criminalise loving parents who use a reasonable snack when they deem it necessary. Smacking is part of loving parenting and used it the right way and the right time is invaluable. Like a child running out into a road in a temper , a loving smack and firm word are needed, to give a firm lesson. In addition, the law would be impossible for the police to enforce and would quickly over run the police and social services.

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)

I don’t think they is any public opinion in favour of this bill. It might have lofty aims to protect children, which is of course very important but surely current laws on child abuse can be used to do this. It would be impossible to educate, police and make any such law work on a practice level. The old saying “spare the rod and spoil the child” has lots of truths in it, obviously not a literal rod - but loving parental discipline must have a reasonable smack as a last resort.

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. Police and social workers would be over run with 1000’s of trivial reports. Serious child abuse cases could be lost because the police are looking into Mrs. Bloggs who smack little billy on the hand, when he bolted into s busy road because he couldn’t have an ice cream. Loving parents will be criminalised for very petty matters, not doubt “modern and progressive” officials we be rushing to prosecute Mrs.Bloggs, whilst serious cases of child abuse are lost in the system.

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)

Not really, other then is a waste of time on money. The law already protects children from violence.

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 don’t think the government should be dictating how parents bring up their children. I can imagine everyone of you reading this comment would have been smacked as a child, maybe when you bite someone at your 4th birthday party. Or maybe when you stole £2 from your mums purse to buy sweets... these smacks would have been there to loving teach and spell out such behaviour was wrong. A short, sharp, shock with the right words of advice have stood the test of time. My parents and your parents and there parents were NOT child abusers.