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-401

CADRP-401

 

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)

We already have laws against cruelty to children and this will not prevent abusers.

Children are not small adults - we often have to physically interact with them against their will but for their good.

There is evidence that emotional abuse and deprivation does far more harm than reasonable chastisement in a loving family situation - THAT'S what you should be looking at.

There is no evidence for the need of this new law and even the police think it will take up more time and criminalise good parents and result in more distress than a minor tap on the hand would ever cause.

Loving parents should be free to bring up their children in any reasonable way they see fit.

The government should keep out of family matters as much as possible and not be looking for ways to get more involved - spend the money on free and optional good parenting courses instead.

You disagree with a minor tap on the wrist but you advocate for the right to tear an unborn baby limb from limb to destroy it!

You are elected by the people to SERVE the people so listen to their voices and do something more useful for the economy and people of Wales than interfere where you are not wanted.

 

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 - if the law already exists then enforce what is already there.   But it turns out that the very defence that yo are trying to do away with has only been used 3 times in the last 10 years - so what on earth are you wasting time and all this money doing this for???

Turn your attention one moment towards the research around mental health outcomes for children raised in different family types - and apply the law where it is needed.  Evidence makes the unequivocal case for support and promotion of traditional families - so why aren't you trying to do that instead of undermining that?

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)

-

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)

-

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)

NHS and police will have to treat a tiny tap on the wrist as abuse - taking up valuable time and resources - and potentially criminalising loving parents resulting in far worse family outcomes for the child than any tiny tap on the wrist could have caused.

Resources will be taken away from dealing with children with genuine need and at genuine risk of abuse.

People will not bring their children to Wales for a holiday.

Parents will leave Wales to live in a less tyrannical jurisdiction.

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)

you have not began to consider the wider costs to society of this ridiculous, unpopular and unwarranted proposal.

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)

It makes me ashamed to say I come from Wales. Is this really the best we can do with our time, resources and potential since devolution?