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-580 |
CADRP-580 |
About you
Individual
— Yes
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Just as adults have legal protection from assault, children should have the same right to be protected from violence and the removal of this as a defence will ensure that right is recognised in law. There is no justification for why children, who are by their nature more vulnerable to assault than adults, should have less protection under the law.
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child recognises that any physical punishment of children, however minor, is incompatible with the human rights of children, and has called for it to be abolished. It recognises the right of the child to respect for their human dignity, physical integrity and equal protection under the law.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Yes. The law needs to be clear that children have the same rights protecting them from harm as adults. Any person inflicting injury on a child must know they face consequences under the law and there is no possible defence suggesting it is in the child’s interest to be physically punished.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
I support the need for a publicity campaign explaining what this change in law will mean in practice for parents, and additional parental support to understand and implement the changes through schemes such as Flying Start.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Yes.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
no.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
No.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
Child smacking is bullying and child abuse. It's wrong on every level. If we hit an adult, we'd rightly be severely punished. The same must apply to hitting children. Children have as many rights as adults. Misguided, unethical ageist stereotypes mustn't be used to stop children getting the justice they deserve. Children who are hit by other people, including parents and supposed guardians may be more likely to grow up thinking violence against humans is acceptable - when it clearly isn't. Child smacking must be banned under all circumstances.