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-353

CADRP-353

 

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 hate the idea of dedicated parents all over Wales suddenly being criminalised for loving their children enough to take the time to discipline them.

Now, there are strong laws against violence to children and we're so glad of this. But to call these 'smacks' 'abuse' too is really missing the mark.

The massive irony is that, the people who this law would affect most badly would be children themselves. When children are not properly disciplined they are much more likely to cause harm to themselves and others. This culture is already suffering under the weight of the huge amount of children who don't know right from wrong since their parents have not set those boundaries in place. Any encouragement to parents away from discipline would only increase this mess.

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)

A ban on using short, sharp and effective physical reminders leaves good parents facing the reality that they are now being deemed as criminals. Does this actually deal with the real problem which this bill is trying to solve, namely abusive parents? Telling parents who commit real abuse that smacking is wrong is not going to stop them, what they are doing is already against the law, and yet they keep going.

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)

Smacking and child-abuse are different things, that has to be acknowledged. What the Welsh Assembly wants to ban should not even be in the same category as child abuse. The government wants to ban parents lovingly showing their children what's right and what's wrong with a short, sharp physical reminder, that is not abuse. The difference between child abuse and loving parental discipline is huge.

It should be up to a parent what's best for their child, not the Government. The state should not use the law to spy on parents and make their decisions for them, until they take it too far. The majority of parents who smack their children are not taking it too far.

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)

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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)

I wanted to mention a scenario I envisage which is police, social workers and the like having to waste their time prosecuting loving parents, all the while stretching resources to breaking-point and making it more likely for the parents who are actually abusing their children to be camouflaged in the swamp of reports of non-abusive parents that will no doubt arrive as soon as this bill would be passed.

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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