Consultation on the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill
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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 |
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CADRP-289 |
CADRP-289 |
About you
Individual
— No
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
The law currently protects children and I lend my voice to the majority of parents (76% in You Gov poll 2017) who feel they could be criminalised by the intended Bill. This is an unwelcome intrusion into family life at a time when failing education should clearly be more of a priority. PISA results show that schools in Wales have continuously under performed in Literacy, Maths and Science. Instead loving parents could face prosecution which will undermine children's development and harm their well being.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
The current law already outlines what is acceptable levels of chastisement clearly defined over the last 200 years. Children are protected as seen in a handful of high profile cases where bad parents have been punished for over stepping their authority, but in no way should this put loving parents at risk of prosecution. The law, therefore, is properly enforced. So there is no need for this intrusion. What about the right of the parent who has always been best placed to protect their child?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
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(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
To change the law now would undermine parents' authority making it more difficult to teach children what is right and wrong. There is no one else to look after them. One in three teachers are quitting within five years due to increasing pressure of workloads. I know of one who has to remove the same child because he attacks his peers. He is taken to the treatment room where he plays with toys. The resulting behaviour and lack of respect leads to a breakdown in society which is what we're seeing with increasing stabbings reaching peak levels since records began. Contrary to what experts say about smacking, child-on-child violence is on the rise, hence the need to defend parent's rights.
It's ridiculous that a tap, lovingly applied, could be tetra-mount to 'abuse'. Such a move would permanently alter relationships between parent and child, allowing the government to offer further guidance and eventually measures on what constitutes suitable parental activity. The government is already failing our children, so if this Bill represents progress, I dread to see what the future yields for my children.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Increasing pressures on social workers and cut-back police will divert essential resources. Police and social workers struggle to deal with increasing cases in courts. Putting strain on resources would mean real criminals would escape prosecution.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
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