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-539

CADRP-539

 

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)

Why is there a need for this bill...smacking has been used to chastise children for generations and laws are already in place to protect children from abuse....surely this is a case of huge state interference in family life,undermining parents and criminalising them.

The cost of implementing such a bill is a complete wast of taxpayers money which would be better spent improving far more important needs such as medical/hospital services etc

Is the state saying it knows better than parents when it comes to chastisement....politicians are completely out of touch when polls show 75% of the public are opposed to a ban.

 

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...as stated there are laws already in place that protect children...these need enforcing and applying to real abusers.

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)

Obviously ordinary loving parents would be hauled into the courts and convicted of assault.....is this what the bill is aiming to achieve?.....those who would suffer such an experience would be greatly disrupted and distressed....is this what the Welsh Assembly wants for families in Wales?

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)

As stated money would be wiser spent on far greater needs such as healthcare etc

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)

Why is this bill being proposed?.....even previous Assembly Leaders smacked their children!