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-524

CADRP-524

 

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 feel very disappointed that politicians are not listening to the voice of the public which indicates that there is significant opposition to criminalising smacking. Polls show reflect this and I am not happy about the waste of public money being spent thus far. This fiscal wastage will be exacerbated further by the monetary requirements needed to enforce and resource this bill-despite there being no concrete evidence that banning the option of reasonable punishment helps society/young people.

 

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)

Not at all-the law already protects children from abuse. Money and resources need to be directed on enforcing the current law.

 

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)

Families need to be protected and removing the ‘reasonable chastisement defence’ will mean that a parent disciplining their child with a mild smack would be classed as assault.

Enforcement would disrupt families. If a parent is penalised for smacking they could lose their job or even custody of their children. The distress felt by both child and parent could be devasatating-and for what? Introducing this law could also have devastating consequences for society in Wales-becuase it potentially is attacking the family. Children and young people more than ever need to be given opportunity for mild discipline. Robbing parents of this empowers the child more, when we live in already extremely rebellious society.

 

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)

I have referred to these previously,

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)

Only that I wish the Welsh government would spend its money and resources on an issue that is going to benefit society much more and has more mileage in terms of its potential positive effect as opposed to negative. I am dumbfounded that it continues to press on with such an unpopular bill/potential legislation with so many other issues needing attention in Wales.