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25/10/2007
Smacking Ban Ruled Out By Ministers
Ministers have rejected a complete ban on smacking, following a government review, which found that the majority of parents were opposed to one.
Children's Minister Kevin Brennan announced that the laws, which were tightened in England and Wales in 2004, would remain unchanged.
Mr Brennan told MPs that although many parents said that they did not smack their children, most remained opposed to an outright smacking ban.
The Children's Act 2004, which came into force in January 2005, allows mild smacking, but not any punishment which resulted in visible bruising, grazes, scratches, minor swellings or cuts.
The laws were tightened in order to remove the defence of "reasonable punishment" from parents or carers who were charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, wounding or grievous bodily harm or cruelty to a child.
The government has been reviewing the law to see if it was working.
Some organisations, including children's charity the NSPCC, have been calling for a total ban on smacking.
(KMcA)
Children's Minister Kevin Brennan announced that the laws, which were tightened in England and Wales in 2004, would remain unchanged.
Mr Brennan told MPs that although many parents said that they did not smack their children, most remained opposed to an outright smacking ban.
The Children's Act 2004, which came into force in January 2005, allows mild smacking, but not any punishment which resulted in visible bruising, grazes, scratches, minor swellings or cuts.
The laws were tightened in order to remove the defence of "reasonable punishment" from parents or carers who were charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, wounding or grievous bodily harm or cruelty to a child.
The government has been reviewing the law to see if it was working.
Some organisations, including children's charity the NSPCC, have been calling for a total ban on smacking.
(KMcA)
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