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-24 |
CADRP-24 |
About you
Individual
— No
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Criminalising parental smacking is unreasonable state interference in family life and
undermines parents. The European Court of Human Rights has upheld the legal defence of
reasonable chastisement in principle.
Politicians 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
Crimilising parents will not prevent this from happening and may exaccerbate the problem by compounding the problem of "taking the punishment home" where behind closed doors it is likely to be worse !
I think this is a short sighted and nieve policy by the Welsh Assembly and makes us look like sheep and not thought leaders.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Any punishment that is excessive is already against the law
The current law does not need to be changed, it needs to be enforced
The bill WILL NOT succeed in protecting children and only alienate and isolate parents and increase suspicion, isolation and fear amongst parents, teachers, people in position.
I can't express how stupid and short sighted I believe this legislation is and I'm hoping we can reconsider before it's too late.
(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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(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Removing the ‘reasonable chastisement defence’ will mean that a parent disciplining their
child with a mild smack would be classed as assault. Banning smacking will inevitably catch
ordinary loving parents and turn them into criminals.
Enforcement would disrupt families. If a parent is penalised for smacking they could lose
their job or even custody of their children.
Turning smacking into abuse will bring confusion into the law against child abuse. This will
be dangerous for at-risk children.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
The financial impact of the legislation is immaterial.
This is moral not a financial issue !
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Legislation should not be used to subsidise poorly funded social services.
Give social services, local councils and teachers more money.
Don't just put good parents who smack their kids infrequently and only as a last resort in prison !