Consultation on the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill
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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 |
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CADRP-522 |
CADRP-522 |
About you
Individual
— Yes
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
It will give the same rights to children as that afforded to adults. For example, we do not allow adults to be physically punished to ensure they behave in an appropriate way! Children learn by example and hitting a child only reinforces the notion that this is right. It is difficult to condemn bullying, for example, if we endorse a form of bullying of a child by his or her parent. There is a growing body of research which suggests that physical punishment is harmful in the long term and is ineffective in any case. From my own experience and looking at the research I am certain that parents only resort to this when they themselves are stressed and tired. By contrast, alternative forms of discipline and boundary setting are much more effective.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Yes, absolutely. Government needs to lead by example. Becoming a parent for the first time can be a daunting experience. Legislation such as this, along with a good public education programme, can give much needed support to parents and I am sure will be very welcome. We also need to heed the experience of the other 54 states worldwide who have successfully implemented similar legislation. Whilst public education is extremely important this alone is not enough and a change in the law is vital. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has said that children need the same protection from the use of force as adults so removing the defence is vital to ensure this. Most professionals who work with children are fully supportive of this change. With the law as it currently stands it is difficult for those who work with families and who witness problems with parenting to give a clear message about the right approach. This change will get rid of this uncertainty and more children will be safeguarded in the future.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Given that this issue has been openly debated for many years in Wales [much more than in England] I think that a change in the law will be pushing at an open door. That this debate has been consistent is I believe why attitudes are changing against physical punishment, ie parents and grandparents tend to say that they would never use physical punishment and would prefer alternative methods of discipline and of setting boundaries with their children. They also seem to find physical punishment odd or strange when it occurs. However, an innovative far reaching public education will be necessary .This should be for ALL parents as this is not an issue which just affects poorer families. This is something which other countries have achieved successfully.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Yes. The Explanatory Memorandum shows that the Welsh Government has comprehensively considered this.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
NO but it will be useful as part of the rollout of this legislation to work with as many organisations and groups to ensure that people are clear about the change.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Very happy with the financial estimate on the Explanatory Memorandum. After a change in the law fewer children will be physically punished. Children's services will have a much clearer message to give to families and it is likely that abuse can be stopped at an early stage which will mean cost savings in the longterm.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
I am delighted that Wales, in making this legislative change, will join other countries which have shown strong leadership in promoting the wellbeing of our children and subsequently future generations. We have nothing to fear from this.Indeed many families are already using non-violent methods of discipline as a matter of choice. We will be on the right side of history when the law is implemented. Just as domestic abuse is no longer acceptable so will be the use of physical punishment.