Forum Brief: Smacking

Peers were on Monday voting on legislation that could tighten the rules on smacking children, but the government has ruled out introducing a total ban.

As the Children Bill continues its passage through the House of Lords, ministers were backing an amendment that would allow mild smacks that fall short of causing actual bodily harm.

Party Response:Liberal Democrat

Baroness Walmsley, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for children in the House of Lords, said: "So-called 'reasonable chastisement' leads to injustice in our courtrooms and sends out a dangerous message about the acceptability of violence towards children across society. Assaulting a child is as unacceptable as assaulting an adult, and the law should clearly say so.

"All professionals' groups involved in child protection support equal protection reform. Who should we listen to: the mainstream child protection experts or a handful of fringe groups who believe hitting children is right?

"At least 12 European countries already give children equal protection from assault. It works there, changing attitudes and behaviour for the better, and it can work here too."

Forum Response: 4Children

Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said: "We welcome moves by campaigners inside and outside parliament to offer children the same legal protection from physical harm as adults and hope the government will take this opportunity to embrace reform as part of a more comprehensive statement of parental rights and responsibilities.