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-497

CADRP-497

 

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?

— Partly

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)

I believe there is more needed to protect children, but I feel that this bill will criminalise parents for what may be a reflex reaction when a child has put themselves into danger. I'm not stating that it is ever correct to strike a child, but in certain circumstances reflexes take over (such as a child running out in front of a moving car).

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)

-

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)

One of the main barriers I feel is funding.  Resources are already stretched and if people are to be policing this bill also it will take resources away from areas where it is potentially more vital and cause more harm to children in the long term.

Also, smacking is an engrained mentality to some, they don't see the problem with it, work will need to be done around this.

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)

As the bill currently is no it does not.  There is no mention of extra funding so therefore no mention of extra resources being made available.

 

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)

I feel there may be an upswing in vindictive reporting. If parents are in dispute, or a family, then there may be a definite increase of reports of smacking from family memebers trying to get one up on the other to try and strengthen their case against whoever it is they have a dispute with.

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)

-