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-312 |
CADRP-312 |
About you
Individual
— No
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Along with thousands of others, forming the majority of people in Wales, I believe that the existing legislation provides sufficient protection of children from physical abuse. As an experienced loving parent I have found that careful use of smacking provides and appropriate and effective means of nurturing discipline, especially when linked with rational explanation. I was so disciplined as a child myself and realised its purpose and effectiveness. Removal of the right to exercise such discipline will contribute to the current disastrous growth in self-indulgence, will add to the load on the already overburdened police. courts and social services sectors, and criminalise responsible parents.
For some time the police service has been majorly distracted from its core function of dealiing with serious violence and theft and needs a reduction in the petty politically-correct distractions. Also, local authorities cannot afford to maintain their core functions, so why create yet more responsibility? In 2017 77% of respondents to a demographically-weighted ComRes poll expressed clear concern about these isssues.
It is well-documented that the ban on smacking in Sweden has been followed by a substantial rise in child-on-child violence and in indiscipline in schools.The risk to Welsh society is clear.
Furthermore, surveys of public opinion clearly indicate that the proposals are out of step with the country. The 2017 ComRes poll found that 76% of Welsh adults were against criminalising smacking, while only 11% were in favour.
These proposals should be ditched at the earliest possible moment as ideological, impractical and undemocratic.
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(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Eomphatically NO!
see above answer to Question 1.2
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Yes
The opposition of the majority of people in Wales
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
No
This is an ideological assault on common sense.
Answers I have received to my previous objections have been dismissive. For example, Mark Drakeford did not address my concerns, merely justifying his position as mandated by Labour's election Manifesto.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Yes
Deeply dangerous ones, as outlined briefly in my answer to Question 1.2
Plus, increasing the current trend towards a police state, undermining personal and family freedoms
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Yes - see above
Especially, actual costs to police, courts and social services. There are far more important aspect of their work that deserve appropriate funding. If funding of the outcomes of these proposed changes is intended, it is a travesty of justice.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
There are others, but as a very busy person I've run out of time