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-254

CADRP-254

 

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 believe this bill would be harmful to the healthy development of children by taking away parents' freedom to discipline them. Parents should have right to decide this for themselves, not have it forced on them by the state. There are many loving parents in this country doing a great job who also use smacking to discipline their children; this bill would criminalise them which is a travesty. The police and social services have better things to be doing than interfering in healthy, stable families; there are millions of children in this country who really are suffering neglect and abuse and this will just distract from helping and protecting them. In addition, this bill is likely to disproportionally affect minority communities who often have different cultural practices and expectations.

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 already legislation in place to prohibit abuse and unreasonable physical punishment. We should focus on enforcing that and not on criminalizing normal parents.

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)

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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. As stated above it would have the effect of criminalizing good and normal parents, particularly those from immigrant or ethnic minority communities, and would distract from helping those who are genuinely vulnerable.

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)

A waste of resources that are much needed elsewhere (see response to 1).

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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