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-80

CADRP-80

 

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)

There is already legislation in place to out law the abuse of children. A  controlled smack by a loving

parent, which should not cause more than a temporary reddening of the skin, should not be equated

with child abuse.  It should be left to the wisdom and judgement of parents, as to how best discipline

their children and under which circumstances,  The proposals are nothing short of  State interference.

If carried, the agencies involved  in its implementation  i,e.  Police and Social Services, would be overwhelmed  and attention diverted from genuine cases of child abuse.   Loving parents would  be

criminalised.  I  was occasionally smacked by my parents as a child, but I could not have had more loving parents.  They did their best for me in every possible way and it would be criminal to consider

them as child abusers.  Perish the thought.

 

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  See above.

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)

The police and Social Services, already under great pressure, will potentially  be diverted from

genuine cases of child abuse. Therefore, children who are  being abused could well be missed

and consequently suffer more.

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)

The Bill is not necessary.

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)

Yes,  loving parents would be criminalised.

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)

-

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)

-