Are we serious about children’s rights?

Sponsored by Julie Morgan AM (Chair)

The physical punishment of children is the only form of inter-personal violence that remains legal in the UK. Forty-four states have already enacted legislation to change this. In 2002 the National Assembly and Welsh Government voted in favour of changing the law to give children equal protection.
 
In 2008 the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child welcomed ‘the commitment of the National Assembly in Wales to prohibiting all corporal punishment in the home, but notes that under the terms of devolution it is not possible for the Assembly to enact the necessary legislation.’
 
Despite these commitments, extensive consultation and the ‘Rights Measure’ requiring Welsh Ministers to have due regard to the UNCRC, now that Wales has the powers to do something there has been no progress.

But this can change …
The Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill is an appropriate opportunity to reform the law. This would not create a new criminal offence. It would simply give children the same protection as we have as adults.

RSVP: Eleri Griffiths eleri.griffiths@childreninwales.org.uk

A buffet lunch will be provided.