Corporal Punishment
Background
It is currently legal to administer a “smack” to a child as a form of chastisement.
However
causing bruises, reddening of the skin and mental harm is a criminal
offence in England and Wales and a similar definition exists in
Scotland.
The Children's Act (2004) defines such abuse as:
58: Reasonable punishment
Battery of a child cannot be justified on the ground that it constitut[es] reasonable punishment.
Campaigners
are currently lobbying for a complete ban on all forms of physical
chastisement, with some significant supporters in parliament.
Sixteen European states - including Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Austria -
have now banned corporal punishment by parents and carers. Six more
states including Spain and Portugal have committed themselves to full
law reform in the future.
Our Policy
Agreed by the NDCS Trustee Board on 16 July 2007.
- NDCS stands against all forms of abusive behaviour towards children.
- All parents face challenges in bringing up children and the most important factor in meeting those challenges is effective communication between parent or guardian and child.
- NDCS does not believe physical chastisement is the most effective form of discipline for children, or in the best interests of the child.
