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-329	CADRP-329

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)

It is parents responsibility to bring up children in the way they see fit, not the state's, as long as they do it in line with the current laws. The law already protects children from violence and a small 'smack' is definitely not violence by any definition!

  In countries like Sweden, where smacking has been made illegal for over 30 years, child against child violence has increased by a factor of 17! Also, discipline in schools there has worsened dramatically.

  There is no evidence that banning smacking will in any way benefit children so why implement it here in Wales?

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. The police and others in authority should seek to enforce the law as it stands and this would protect children from abuse.

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)

Police forces will be overrun with enquiries concerning smacking by loving parents, which will waste their precious time and prevent them from looking into real child abuse cases. The same applies to social workers.

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)

I wouldn't think so!

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, caring parents will be criminalised by the implementation of this law if it comes into force.

More than three-quarters of the Welsh public are against criminalising smacking - why are their views ignored? They are the ones who vote AM's into power! The public will have their faith in the Welsh Assembly undermined.

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)

No.

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)

Smacking should be allowed as a last resort or if a child is too young to be reasoned with as a means of warning against dangers. Banning smacking will therefore endanger children, not keep them safer!

Many parents were smacked when they were children. They don't look upon their parents as child abusers.