Dear Mr Irranca-Davies,
I am writing to offer my support for the Welsh Government’s proposed ban on the physical punishment of children.
The evidence is overwhelming in indicating that such punishment has a detrimental effect on children, and risks causing a range of emotional, mental, and behavioural problems both in childhood and later life. If the Welsh Government has the better interests of children at the heart of its policy, and if it is to be guided first and foremost by the evidence, the physical punishment of children cannot be allowed to continue.
I very much hope the proposals will be taken forward and urge the Welsh Government to be resilient in defending the rights of children when faced by opposition from a small, unrepresentative minority of parents and religious groups.