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-307	CADRP-307

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)

A loving parent smacking their child is not child abuse. Existing law already protects children from violent parents. The majority of adults (over 80%) including myself were smacked as children but certainly don't regard their parents as child abusers. 76% of adults in Wales were against making smacking a criminal offence with only 11% in favour according to a 2017 ComRes poll. Child on child violence increased after smacking was banned in Sweden in 1979. I believe this supports the view that a ban on smacking is bad for children, families and society as children need to be properly disciplined by loving, responsible parents.

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)

Absolutely not. The law already exists to protect children from violent, abusive 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)

Loving, responsible parents would be criminalised by this bill, while real child abusers would not be deterred from their practices.  Social workers and police would be side tracked from pursuing real child abusers if responsible parents who occasionally smack their children are reported as criminals.

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

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)

Criminalising loving parents for smacking their children could have a devastating effect on families

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)

-

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)

no