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-529 |
CADRP-529 |
About you
Individual
— No
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
I believe that parents know their children better than anyone else. They also know
that a mild smack as a form of discipline is not the same as abuse.
State interference in family life undermines parents in their unique role. Criminalising parental smacking is unreasonable state interference.
The European Court of Human Rights has upheld the legal defence of
reasonable chastisement in principle.
Politicians are not listening to parents and are out-of-step with the public. There is major opposition to criminalising smacking. Polls show that three quarters of the public oppose a smacking ban. Why take the time to consult with key stakeholders if their feedback is ignored?
There is no evidence to justify criminalising parents. A light infrequent smack in the context
of a loving parent-child relationship is not harmful. The Government admitted this in its
consultation document last year.
The Government’s impact assessment for the Bill estimates a cost of £3.3 million for law
enforcement, and costs for child protection services which cannot be quantified. Police and social work resources are already overstretched. Requiring police and social workers to investigate parents who smack is draining money and resources away from the already difficult task of identifying abuse.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
No. Children are already protected, under the law, from abuse
Any excessive punishment is already against the law.
The issue has to do with enforcing the current legislation, not changing it.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
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(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
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By removing the ‘reasonable chastisement defence’ a parent disciplining their child with a mild smack would be charged with assault. This will lead to the criminalising of ordinary loving parents.
Were this to be enforced the disruption to families would cause major damage. If a parent is penalised for smacking they could lose their job or even custody of their children.
The NHS has already said reports of smacking will be dealt with in the same way as abuse
if reasonable chastisement is outlawed. Staff and patients could be labelled abusers.
Turning smacking into abuse will bring confusion into the law against child abuse. This endanger at-risk children.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
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(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
No