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-226

CADRP-226

 

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)

Smacking is a widely accepted "reasonable chastisement" of a child across the country of Wales.Within a loving family setting which again is the MAJORITY of the family settings across Wales, smacking is one of a RANGE of disciplinary measures which has produced a fine generation of young people.

To pass this law will CRIMINALIZE what is clearly at present a justifiable lawful activity of which there is no reason to change. Unreasonable chastisement is an unlawful activity. Smacking is NOT a physical assault and millions of children and parents can testify to its effectiveness when used within proper context. A smack on the bottom or leg causes NO physiological damage.

If passed the assembly members know that every report of smacking to the authorities and the police WILL HAVE TO BE INVESTIGATED even if prosecutions are not brought. This will waste precious public resources that should be focused on child abuse.

The academic evidence is unclear the public's view of the matter is not. The 2017 ComRes poll supports this contention.

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)

There is no reason on the evidence base or from the wishes of the parents of Wales to change the law in any way.

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 barriers to implementing this bill will be those raised by its absurdity. The public do not support the idea especially parents/carers and so there will be a continuation in many homes of a sensible social practice. Then will come the trouble in later years when the cases of "alleged abuse" come in from disgruntled older children and the system is unable to cope. Proper child abuse cases will have to compete for precious resources. Senarios like this will be of the assembly's own making.This bill is unnecessary.

Often is the complaint. The assembly is out of touch. It is out of touch with parents!

 

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. It is manifestly clear that a bill designed to criminalize smacking will not be able to prevent the investigations that will then become mandatory. This is a bill to change a behavior that is beneficial to Welsh society. How absurd? 

 

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 barriers to implementing this bill will be those raised by its absurdity. The public do not support the idea especially parents/carers and so there will be a continuation in many homes of a sensible social practice. Then will come the trouble in later years when the cases of "alleged abuse" come in from disgruntled older children and the system is unable to cope. Proper child abuse cases will have to compete for precious resources. Senarios like this will be of the assembly's own making.This bill is unnecessary.

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)

Patently a waste of public money.

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 and the former respected First Minister, Carwyn Jones have smacked their children (statement Llanelli 2018). I am not a child abuser nor is he!

Julie Morgan AM (Health and Social Services)  and former Children's Minster Leighton Andrews have made it clear in public statements on the issue, that if the bill is passed (although it won't be retrospective obviously) Carwyn and myself would be branded as criminal and if we had our parenting all over again and smacked would have prosecutions brought against us. I feel strongly, this is our children's future and well being at stake and the Government has no business to be getting involved on this one!