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-90

CADRP-90

 

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 dont support the principles behind the abolition of defence of reasonable punishment as I think it will cause damage to the family unit  and in actual fact put children more at risk of harm.  Why? As resources will be required to implement this new law thus taking away valuable resources in an already stretched service, whether police , social services, nursing and ambulance staff and whoever else.  There is already a law safeguarding children from abuse, this is not needed.

I recently listened to callers on the Jeremy Vine show on Radio 2 talking on the subject.  Many of the responses sounded very biased and uninformed, one gentleman said in this age we shouldnt be alowed to batter children, we are not and no loving parent would advocate battery, we already have laws in place for such crimes. 

In short the laws we already have keep children safe, extra laws will put children at risk.

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)

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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)

As mentioned previously, it will stretch already stretched resources thereby putting children who are at risk in further risk of actual abuse.

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)

No, it doesnt seem so.

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)

It has been said that the only thing we learn from history is that man doesnt learn.  Smacking was banned in Sweden in 1979 and child on child violence increased.

It also demonstrates an alarming erosion to democracy.  In the 2017 ComRes poll, 76% of Welsh adults were against criminalising smacking, has the voice of the public been heard or listened too.  There seems to be a growing trend in politics in which ministers have their own agendas instead of listening to the public which is mirrored with the current inability to leave Europe.

I think voting in the future will bare witness to how government dismisses a democratic vote.

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)

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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)

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