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-427

CADRP-427

 

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)

The current law is not clear. It is difficult to make an  argument to other parents in my

community. I welcome the change so that I can say to parents physical punishment of children is against  the law.

Equality: it’s because children should have the same protection from assault as adults do. The smallest most vulnerable members of our society should not have less protection

Children’s Right: this change will help realise children’s rights to Article 19 - protection from violence and abuse. The Committee on the Rights of the Child has asked the UK to prohibit corporal punishment by removing the reasonable punishment defence 3 times. I am pleased that Welsh Government is leading the way in the UK and doing this.

There is unequivocal high quality evidence globally that not only does physical punishment not work, but that it is harmful for children. In the Equally Protected report (https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/researchresources/2015/equally-protected/ ) Sir Michael Marmot said in the forward ‘The international evidence could not be any clearer - physical punishment has the potential to damage children and carries the risk of escalation into physical abuse’ .

Physical punishment does not work and because it does not work there is a danger of it escalating into physical abuse and in some cases has lead to the death of 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)

Yes

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)

Removing the ‘reasonable punishment’ defence acknowledges children’s status in Welsh society as equal holders of human rights.  We are fully supportive of this legislative change and believe it will provide additional protections for children and young people throughout Wales, reinforcing the progress which is already being achieved towards the full incorporation of the UNCRC and realisation of children’s rights in Wales