CYPE(5)-16-19 – Papur 7

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 (Saesneg yn unig)

Evidence submitted to the Children, Young People and Education Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny

Organisation: National Independent Safeguarding Board

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)

Children in Wales should have the same rights and protections in law as adults in Wales.  Removing the defence of reasonable punishment is an important step in upholding their rights.

Restrictions on the use of this defence are already in place so removing it completely eliminates any ambiguity about when it is acceptable to use physical punishment on children and when it is not.

Research does not support any link between physical punishment and improved behaviour in children and it is out of step with the ethos of promoting positive parenting styles in Wales.

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 500 words)

Their is the need for legislation to support the principles the Bill is trying to deliver. 

Evidence from other countries that have introduced similar legislation has shown that there is a link between such legislation and the changing attitudes of parents and wider society particularly when it is in conjunction with sustained information campaigns and support to parents.

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 500 words)

No

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 500 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 500 words)

No

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 500 words)

No

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)

No