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-319

CADRP-319

 

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)

Whilst not condoning child abuse in any form, I believe that smacking in order to disciple a child, for his/her own good, by loving parents, is not abuse

 

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)

I am not questioning the motives behind the proposal, but I do not believe here is need for legislation.  There is already legislation to protect children from abuse.  |Loving parents will use smacking as a last resort.

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 proposed legislation would impose huge pressures on the already stretched police service  and social workers.  Its implementation would mean that less time, recourses and energy will be spent on cases of real 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 thought has been given to the far reaching consequences.

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)

Good parents would be criminalised,  which is not supported by the majority of people in Wales.  The lack of parental discipline is not good for children, nor, for that matter, society at large.  It would seem that much anti-social behaviour, is due to  a lack of discipline.

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)

It goes without saying that new legislation will incur a financial cost.  Whilst it is impossible to know how much this has been considered by AMs, I believe they would  in fact be surprised by the financial results of the implementation of the bill.

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)

The point is made that smacking encourages those who have been smacked to be violent, considering violence as the norm. It is argued that other countries who  forbid smacking have less violent behaviour, but this is not so.  Sweden is quoted as an example, but since 1979 cases of violence by children on other children has increased significantly.  The proposed bill is another of example of state interference with the right of parents to decide on what is right for the child.

I  WOULD URGE AMs TO THINK AGAIN ABOUT THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF PASSING THIS BILL