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-509	CADRP-509

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)

I believe that the level of understanding of small children does not allow explanation and reasoning: this stage is reached later. Children who learn obedience because of a light smack, that is done lovingly from a parent, also learn that obedience and respect are necessary in our society. The teacher who receives into their class undisciplined children, already had an uphill task. I myself was smacked by my parents and grandparent, it did me no harm and I quickly learnt to respect boundaries. I knew that I was loved and accepted this as part of growing up and I am in no way physically or emotionally damaged by the experience.

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. Unreasonable chastisement is already covered and dealt with in current legislation

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)

This proposal will set family members and friends against each other. It is devisive. We now even speak of harsh words as violence or abuse. Where will this end? And how can it be implemented with the already overworked social workers and not enough foster carers to intervene during investigation. And who will give back the time and address the emotional trauma of parents and children who are separated?

All of these proposals will require greater expenditure to implement. Who is going to pay? And what about the claims for compensation when legal challenges arise?

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)

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.

Children may be separated from their parents for extended periods of time. This time is then lost. What about the social stigma of having a child removed? Can the Welsh Assembly honestly say that the possibility of parental job loss, social exclusion or the extreme outcome of suicide has not occurred to the AMs?

They will then have increased unemployment, resulting in claims for benefits. This could lead to skills shortages, people losing their homes.

The outcomes of this proposal are far reaching and potentially devastating.

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)