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-515

CADRP-515

 

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)

I believe this Bill will achieve the stated aims of protecting children's rights and prohibit physical punishment of children.

The current law is ambiguous and unclear. The defence of reasonable punishment permits parents to use an arbitrary level of violence on their children which can result in injury and, in a small minority of cases, escalate into physical abuse.

I did not physically punish my children as it appeared to me that it did not work and I wanted them to grow up in a warm loving home without violence. Discipline is crucial and I set boundaries and used other methods to instil discipline.

The evidence is now clear that physical punishment harms children and causes increased aggression and anti social behaviour. Removing the defence of reasonable punishment will  result in fewer parents physically punishing their 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. Positive parenting promotion has reached as many parents as it can. The law change will be the catalyst for further change and better protect children from harm

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)

-

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)

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 the costs of the change will be more than offset by the savings in late intervention costs in the future

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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