cormack12
Gold Member
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65243518
The government has rejected calls to ban physical punishment of children in England, saying they are already protected in law.
In Wales, Scotland and Jersey any type of corporal punishment, including smacking, hitting, slapping, and shaking is illegal.
The NSPCC and Barnardo's say England must follow suit.
The government has argued parents should be trusted to discipline their children.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "The government does not condone any violence towards children and has clear laws in place to prevent it."
In England and Northern Ireland it is legal for a carer or parent to discipline their child physically if it is a "reasonable" punishment.
However, any punishment over what is considered "reasonable" is illegal. The Children Act 2004 says it is unlawful to assault a child causing actual or grievous bodily harm, or with child cruelty.
A 12-year-old girl who contacted Childline said: "My mum heard me swearing from the other room today. I know I shouldn't swear, it always gets me in trouble and makes mum act scary. Mum hit me so hard this time, harder than usual.
"She was screaming and hit me in the head so hard I fell into the wall. I still feel a bit dizzy now and there's a lump. I don't know how to make it stop."
The government has rejected calls to ban physical punishment of children in England, saying they are already protected in law.
In Wales, Scotland and Jersey any type of corporal punishment, including smacking, hitting, slapping, and shaking is illegal.
The NSPCC and Barnardo's say England must follow suit.
The government has argued parents should be trusted to discipline their children.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "The government does not condone any violence towards children and has clear laws in place to prevent it."
In England and Northern Ireland it is legal for a carer or parent to discipline their child physically if it is a "reasonable" punishment.
However, any punishment over what is considered "reasonable" is illegal. The Children Act 2004 says it is unlawful to assault a child causing actual or grievous bodily harm, or with child cruelty.
A 12-year-old girl who contacted Childline said: "My mum heard me swearing from the other room today. I know I shouldn't swear, it always gets me in trouble and makes mum act scary. Mum hit me so hard this time, harder than usual.
"She was screaming and hit me in the head so hard I fell into the wall. I still feel a bit dizzy now and there's a lump. I don't know how to make it stop."