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-267

CADRP-267

 

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 do not agree with the removal of the defence of reasonable punishment. There is no evidence of the need for this legislation and I remain concerned about the move of parenting from the parent to the state. this a role the state can not fulfill with any success. Parents need to make decisions about their children. Also, with 80% of Welsh adults stating they were smacked as a child and don't see their parents as abusers then the harm is not proven.  This is not about the children's best interests, but is about an ideological move. An ideological move that is not supported by the Welsh population.

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, the voluntary and state sector have agencies that help parents with discipline issues and any work on alternatives to smacking can be done as they are at present.

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)

Yes, the sheer volume of the work that will be created for Children's services and Police.

That people will stop using support services and therefore stop reporting issues.

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, the Bill does not address these.

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)

Reduced contact for children with a parent who has smacked them.

Family breakup.

Criminal records for parents who have no other issues with the law.

Missing serious psychical and other abuse due to the volume of referrals to Children's and Police services.

The difficulty in retaining staff and recruiting to these roles in Children's Services.

Increased poverty for children as parents unable to work in fields where their conviction or charge would prohibit them.

Populations continued feeling of separation from politics and politicians.

Families not using support service sin case they get reported accidentally by children, causing an increase in other issues.

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)

There is no consideration given to how much money will be needed by Children's Services and Police

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)

no