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-423

CADRP-423

 

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?

— Yes

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)

The use of physical assault (physical punishment) is unacceptable in any civilized and just society .

This is all the more so when there is a clear imbalance of power and physical strength as there is when the use of physical punishment, or threats of physical punishment, is deployedcagainst children.

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)

The supporting legislation should simply remove the defense of “reasonable physical punishment” from the statutes and treat all such acts as common assault or child abuse.

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 “It never did me any harm” and “ it will be the end of civilization as we know it” camps will mobilize a very vociferous campaign against the Bill.

They will be supported by the majority of popular main stream media and reactionary elements within the “establishment”.

BUT

Remember we must always stand up for what is right even, if at times we stand alone.

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)

Difficult to make any realistic judgement.

Given the current regressive trends in UK society, it will not be an easily won victory.

 

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)

Pressure on the police.

Pressure on the courts.

Pressure on the schools.

Pressure on the social  and child protection services.

There will be a great need for qualified, easily accessed sources of support for parents “under pressure” and having difficulties.

That, in turn, places pressure on the underfunded local authority services.

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)

 

Parents “in difficulty” will require support and advice.

Social services will require adequately funded family support intervention services.

Schools will require access to specialist behavioral and mental health workers.

Police will require trained “intervention” teams.

 

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 is not going to be easy, nor rapidly introduced into widespread practice.

We have a “culture” of threatening and beating children into compliance and many believe it is the most effective method of achieving discipline.

In my view, and experience (quite relevant and substantial) they  are wrong and have no valid supporting research evidence to support their views  but that will not  stop them.