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-513	CADRP-513

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)

many loving families choose to discipline their children occasionally with a light smack - these loving parents should not be criminalised. This potential ban would be hugely problematic to implement and likely overwhelm overworked police and social workers who must focus on real cases of child abuse. smacking can be a took to be used occasionally as loving discipline for the Childs greater good -  where other discipline has failed. Children are not adults and the argument that we would not hit adults is not an appropriate comparison. Children require discipline an undisciplined children have the potential to become undisciplined adults which is not beneficial for society

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.    Current legislation exists - rightly so to protect children - Article 19 of Convention of the Rights if the Child provided strong protection for children and is clear as it stands. Also there is no evidence to suggest that light infrequent discipline is harmful to long term development of children but conversely there is benefit for children and society in general where physical discipline is used appropriately.

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)

yes - it is not beyond the realms of possibility that children could make false assertions and allegations against parents, knowing the potential consequences and trouble this could cause. Would all these parents be subject to police questioning and the understandable trauma and dysfunctional dynamics which would result from 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)

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)

hugely - for children. families and by extension society as a whole. Wider society including underresourced overstretched doctors, social workers , teachers and police officers will also be impacted.

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)

as a DR I am aware of the vital need for child protection in society - and the severe pressures that social services face in tackling these issues. It is unnecessary to add additional beuarocracy and work to these stretched services.