Commentary on Sections Section 2 – Promoting public awareness of the coming into force of section 1
23.Section 2 of the Act places a duty on the Welsh Ministers to take steps to promote public awareness of the abolition of the defence of reasonable punishment. The duty will require steps to be taken during a two-year period, starting with the day after the day the Act receives Royal Assent. Once section 1 – which abolishes the defence – is in force, the duty in this section ceases to apply.
24.It will be for the Welsh Ministers to determine what steps to take for the purposes of this section; and different steps may be required in relation to different groups of people, to ensure effective communication with parents, children and the wider public.
25.The steps taken to raise public awareness are likely to include many different strands of activity; including advertising (for example on television, radio, the internet and through other digital media); and communication with professionals who work with parents and children to ensure they know about the change to the law.