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-410

CADRP-410

 

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)

As I come to fill in this 'consultation' it is with a clear sense that what I say will be ignored; the entire process is just a formality and a sham - you will not take into consideration what the public say if we disagree with you bill, because you, in your blind arrogance, have already decided that you will pass this bill - regardless. Having said this, this is all that we, the general public, have come to expect from our great leaders - you know best... what do we know?

Anyway, for what its worth, I oppose this bill because it will be bad for the whole of society; parents will be criminalised for giving the children they love a mini-tap on the hand... the children, will be even less disciplined & unruly.

Has it never struck you that there is a reverse correlation between the level of physical punishment meted out to children in the home, at school - which is now minimal, about to vanish, and the devastating rise of violence which we are now seeing all across the board socially? How ironic that we are told that if we physically punish our children society will be more violent... fantasy... rubbish...

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 law already sufficiently protects children - where there are particularly ugly scenes of violence against them from parents and guardians, they, if caught, will be rightly prosecuted - the children, hopefully taken into care. This bill is completely OTT.

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)

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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)

Yes- see my answer to No.1

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)

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