In his regular blog for Caerphilly Observer South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle gives his take on recent news.
Smacking Children
Yesterday, I attended a meeting in the Assembly of the Cross Party Group on Children. As Observer readers know I am campaigning with other members for an end to physical punishment of children.
It is the only form of inter-personal violence that remains legal in the UK and legislation has been brought in in more than 40 countries. As long ago the National Assembly voted in favour of changing the law to give children equal protection.
Despite commitments made and the fact Wales now has the powers to take action there has been no progress. And that is a disgrace.
I will be supporting an amendment to the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Bill to reform the law. It will give children the same protection as adults and would not create a new criminal offence.
I hope the Welsh Government will take the amendment on board and finally move to protect children. It is long overdue.
Older People
During a debate in the Senedd recently, I spoke about the review carried out into the Quality of Life and Care of Older People living in Care Homes in Wales.
With an ageing population, the way older vulnerable people are looked after is crucial, so I welcomed the A Place Called Home report from the Older People’s Commissioner.
What is essential is that through the Regulation and Inspection Bill, high standards must be set.
I also support the Commissioner’s report in which she states that she wants to see a comprehensive advocacy service developed to support and assist older people.
One of the points that I made earlier this month was that if there is to be anything positive that should follow in the reduction in the number of local authorities in Wales, it is to actually develop a much greater consistency across the public sector in how it responds to the health and social care needs of older people.
I also welcomed plans to enhance dementia training for our care homes staff, who play such a vital role.
http://www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Clip/19e0952d-eb1e-43fb-b656-3f44b8fd1334?inPoint=3:16:51&outPoint=3:21:17
Perhaps LIndsay, or a supporter of banning the smacking of children, could explain exactly how such a ban will work? Presumably in most situations the child will be expected to denounce his or her parents to an agency of the state. Following this there would be a police investigation,as if the police do not have enough to do, which would then result in a possible court appearance.
If found guilty presumably the court would rule that the parents must serve a prison sentence or perhaps there would be a court order to remove all their children from their care and transfer that duty of care to the state.
This proposal is nonsense and it is not true to say that “interpersonal violence” is against the law. The last time I looked ‘reasonable force’ was allowed when law abiding citizens acted to prevent a crime. If I rugby tackled a hand bag snatcher, for instance, preventing them from completing their theft I would expect a commendation from the police for my action. Maybe this has been changed by the Welsh Assembly, unoticed by me, and I would end up imprisoned for causing a wilful injury to the bag snatcher who was merely plying his trade as a thief!
Perhaps LIndsay, or a supporter of banning the smacking of children, could explain exactly how such a ban will work? Presumably in most situations the child will be expected to denounce his or her parents to an agency of the state. Following this there would be a police investigation,as if the police do not have enough to do, which would then result in a possible court appearance.
If found guilty presumably the court would rule that the parents must serve a prison sentence or perhaps there would be a court order to remove all their children from their care and transfer that duty of care to the state.
This proposal is nonsense and it is not true to say that “interpersonal violence” is against the law. The last time I looked ‘reasonable force’ was allowed when law abiding citizens acted to prevent a crime. If I rugby tackled a hand bag snatcher, for instance, preventing them from completing their theft I would expect a commendation from the police for my action. Maybe this has been changed by the Welsh Assembly, unoticed by me, and I would end up imprisoned for causing a wilful injury to the bag snatcher who was merely plying his trade as a thief!