Should smacking be OUTLAWED? Two in three people think hitting children should be made illegal, poll shows
- Wales is bringing in legislation to ban the physical punishment of children
- Two in three people think smacking a child is wrong and should be outlawed
- Previously, it was permissible as ‘reasonable punishment’ if it did not cause swelling, bruises, cuts or grazes
Two in three people believe smacking a child is wrong and should be outlawed in England, an NSPCC poll has found.
Wales is today bringing in legislation to ban the physical punishment of children. Scotland introduced its own ban 16 months ago.
The NSPCC survey of 3,000 adults in England found that 64 per cent were in favour of outlawing smacking – with 36 per cent against.
An NSPCC poll has found that two in three people believe smacking a child is wrong and should be outlawed in England
The charity said its Childline service has delivered more than 500 counselling sessions to children about physical punishment.
One 16-year-old girl told counsellors: ‘It can be a proper smack or there was one occasion where [mum] pulled my hair and I fell to the floor and she continuously hit me.
‘I don’t want to get mum in trouble, but I can’t carry on being afraid of her.’
Research by University College London has found physical punishment is ‘ineffective and harmful’ and can increase child aggression.
Welsh law will now view it as assault.
Previously, it was permissible as ‘reasonable punishment’ if it did not cause swelling, bruises, cuts or grazes.
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