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-348	CADRP-348

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?

— Yes

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)

there should never be any reason for a child to be physically or emotionally hurt by an adult.  Physical chastiment involves physically hitting a child thus casing physical pain and emotional hurt.  If we continue to allow the reasonable punishment defence then thousands of children will be hurt and cases of physical abuse not progress.  

We as a society are stating it is okay to hit children which ultimately leads to not only physical and emotional harm, children and adults conforming that hitting is acceptable.  It leads to children and adults using physical harm to emotionally regulate and manage difficult situations.    How can we support parents adopting healthy strategies and teach children to self regulate if we allow physical chastiment

I speak on behalf of my experiences of a child where reasonable punishment was used, as a mother who does not use physical chasitment and as a professional who works with children.

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)

yes

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)

no

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)

no

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)

As a country we need to speak on behalf of the children living in Wales and give hope and role model for other children in the UK and abroad