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-173

CADRP-173

 

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)

It would criminalise those loving parents who use a gentle smack to highlight bad behaviour. I have used gentle smacks on my own no grown up children who are the better for it. It made them realise that what they were doing was not acceptable and prevented further attempts to bad behaviour.

The intent was always loving and for their well being and because this was so they knew that there parents loved them so much that they were prepared to emphasise the point with a gentle smack.

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 not at all - it will not stop unloving parents who lash out in anger from doing so. A lot of abuse is through parents who cannot control their anger, or are drunk or on drugs.

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 or social services are at stretching point anyway - just to increase the workload of a law that cannot be effectively worked through just make a mockery of the law and of the law enforcing agencies.

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

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)

The experience of Sweden who did this years ago is that abuse has increased because discipline and standards of behaviour have not been understood by the younger generations.

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)

No  - other than it will require a lot more money.

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)

Just to say do not pass it., It is a big mistake and will bring many loving parents into great stress and major disruption into their lives and their work situations.