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-305	CADRP-305

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 disagree that smacking should be made illegal. Parents need to be able to discipline their children in an age-appropriate manner. Smacking is one of a number of methods parents may choose to use. Smacking is not abusive; it is loving and done in the best interests of the child.

We recognise in our society the right of parents to discipline children by doing things they would not be able to do to adults. This includes putting children on the step or grounding them. The same principle applies to smacking.

Real child abuse will not be prevented through this bill. The government must recognise the difference between child abuse and parents disciplining their children.

Once physical discipline is removed, parents will be in danger of being criminalised for protecting their children, for example from stepping out into a road.

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. Child abuse is already illegal and we have sufficient provision through existing legislation to prosecute child abusers.

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)

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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)

Loving, committed parents will be wrongly criminalised. Social workers and the police will end up wasting time investigating complaints about children who have been smacked by their parents. Real child abuse will be missed due to this.

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)

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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 government should let parents decide how to discipline their children.

The effect of this bill is to remove from parents a valuable tool they may choose to use to care for their children. Removing it will lead to greater levels of unruly behaviour in children and in our society.

The majority of people in Wales disagree with this government's plans to ban smacking. Please listen to the people who elected you!