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-258	CADRP-258

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 their right to discipline their children by any means which is not cruel.

A brief smack is NOT cruelty or child abuse and may be sometimes needed to correct naughtiness.

Some parents who refuse smacking subject their child to worse torture like locking in cupboards or a dark room or depriving them of food or other rights. This worse than a short smack and causes immense psychological harm as in " Jane Eyre "

A lot of juvenile delinquincy and vandalism is due to insufficient discipline at home.

I was often smacked by both my parents - and I deserved it - but I never doubted that they loved me and it only hurt for a short time.

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 sufficient legislation to cover serious child abuse and assault

Banning parent smacking could overwhelm police and social workers with trivial reports so that real cases of severe child abuse are missed. This is already evident where children have been tortured and murdered under the noses of officials who missed the obvious signs.

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)

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)

If the bill is passed it would criminalise parents who are exercising loving discipline and teaching them to become good citizens.

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)

The Bill would divert funds from the already overburdened police and court systems so that real cases of cruelty are not dealt with properly

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)

The Bill would increase the level of interference by government into family matters and cause resentment by parents who are already under pressure in raising their family properly.