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-429

CADRP-429

 

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)

- smacking children in the context of a loving home environment is NOT child abuse

- a smack is a mild reprimand to reinforce reasonable discipline

- a smack is NOT a beating or being hit

- a smack is not hard enough to leave any marks

- loving parents desire their children to become reasonable law abiding citizens who respect and uphold authority - in all its forms - teachers, police , employers etc.

- smacking is a gentle reminder that disobedience/breaking the rules/ law is not a good option

- it should be the parents' decision whether a child needs a smack, not the Government

- all children need to be properly disciplined - which occasionally may mean a smack - otherwise lots of people suffer from their bad behaviour - the whole family, the school, neighbours and the child itself

- smacking does NOT make a parent a child abuser

- most adults were smacked as children but do NOT view their parents as child abusers

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

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)

- who would implement the Bill?

- Police numbers are being reduced all the time - how can smacking be deemed as a priority?

-Social workers are overloaded - they need to prioritise dangerous situations

- Teachers are there to educate the children

- how can they respond to tittle tattle/ gossip from disgruntled members of the public or people who want to discredit parents for some reason?

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)

- families need to be supported not broken up

- increasing the number of broken families would be hugely detrimental to society and especially to the children who will grow up with all sorts of psychological problems

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)

-

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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