GBV 13

Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee

Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill: Stage 1

Response from: John Simmonds

I am writing to express our strongly held view that the opportunity the Bill provides to ban any form of physical chastisement of children by their parents should be taken as a matter of priority.  This would send out the clearest of messages that setting appropriate boundaries and conveying messages about appropriate behaviour can be successfully conveyed more effectively through other means.  The current message is confusing and is not fit for purpose in a child centred society.

John Simmonds

Director of Policy, Research and Development

British Association for Adoption and Fostering

6-10 Kirby Street,

London EC1N 8TS