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-566 |
CADRP-566 |
About you
Individual
— Yes
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
The aim of the proposed legislation is to support children’s rights by prohibiting the use of physical or corporal punishment. The abolition of the defence of reasonable punishment will secure this and will give children in Wales the same protection against common assault in law as adults. Thus ensuring that Wales complies with Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Currently, children do not have equal protection due to the existence of the defence. I believe this is not right and must change. For this reason this Bill has my full support.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
For the reasons I have outlined in response to question one I absolutely believe there is an urgent need for this Bill and what, if passed, it would achieve. Indeed, Wales needs to catch up with many other countries throughout the world who have already passed legislation which protects children and upholds Article 19 of the UNCRC.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
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I am concerned that there has been scaremongering surrounding the Bill and, consequently, a great deal of misinformation. For example, the Bill does NOT seek to criminalise parents and it does NOT create a new criminal offence. For this reason I am glad that there will be a concerted effort and drive to provide accurate information regarding the Bill and address any misinformation.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
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(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
There is considerable evidence that physical or corporal punishment can be very harmful to children. I believe children in Wales deserve to be respected and to have equal protection in law as adults.
There was a time, not that long ago, when domestic abuse was seen as something that just happened in our society and was the norm. But attitudes have changed and we now have domestic abuse legislation. Similarly, we need legislation to protect our children. It is the very least they deserve and should expect.