England's Children's Commissioner Urges for Nationwide Ban on Smacking

[Social Media]

 

The children’s commissioner for England, Rachel de Souza, has called for a nationwide ban on smacking children, joining the ranks of Scotland and Wales, where the practice is already illegal. De Souza, a former head teacher, argues that such legislation is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of children. In an interview with *The Observer*, she stressed the importance of taking this step to prevent violence against children, saying, “A ban on smacking is a necessary step to keep children safe and to stop lower-level violence from escalating.”

 

Currently, in England, smacking is permitted as long as it falls under the scope of "reasonable punishment," as outlined in Section 58 of the Children Act 2004. However, there is growing pressure for the UK Government to follow the examples set by Scotland, which banned smacking in 2020, and Wales, which followed suit two years later. De Souza, who has a long history of working with children, believes the time has come for England and Northern Ireland to adopt similar measures. She explained that "too many cases" have arisen where children have been harmed by those entrusted with their care. "I abhor violence of any kind against children. Children are more vulnerable than adults, so we need to ensure that they are protected, and their rights are supported," she emphasized.

 

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has also voiced its support for a ban, highlighting a sharp increase in concerns about physical punishment. According to the NSPCC, calls to their helpline about children being physically disciplined have more than tripled in the last year. Of the 1,451 contacts they received, nearly half were serious enough to warrant referrals to social services or the police. Anna Edmundson, head of policy and public affairs at the NSPCC, echoed De Souza’s concerns, noting that the rise in reports and the growing body of evidence shows the potential harm of physical punishment. "There is also mounting evidence that physically disciplining children can be damaging," Edmundson stated.

 

With the safety of children as a priority, De Souza's call for a smacking ban reflects a growing recognition of the need to protect children from all forms of violence. While the debate continues, the push for a nationwide ban is gaining momentum, driven by concerns about child welfare and the desire to prevent harm before it escalates.

 

Based on a report from the Daily Telegraph 2024-10-22

 

 

 

[loong]

Do they offer suggestions for alternative punishments or just to raise another generation of brats?
I am one of those who say that "It never did me any harm". Talking about smacking, not beating.

[Tug]

I disagree corporal punishment should be a tool in the parenting handbook and the government should stay out of it unless it’s abused.I remember getting it a few times when I deserved it.the little rascals need to have a bit of fear or they will walk all over you!

[youreavinalaff]

There seems to be confusion amongst some between discipline and abuse.

 

I got smacked as a kid when I did wrong after having been told not to do what I did. I deserved a smack.

 

 

 

[dantho]

I'm sorry but I don't agree with her. As long as it is just a smack and not a beating I do not see anything wrong with this. I admit that I was never smacked by my parents but I was certainly smacked on my backside and my hand by teachers in grammar school. In one instance I upset one of my French master so much that he sent me to the headmaster to fetch the cane and by the time I returned to the class he was in such a rage the he pushed a whole row of desks towards the back of the classroom made me bend over the desk and then wacked me so hard he actually caused a cut across my backside. When I got home I showed it to my parents and they asked why he had hit me so hard I told them and their attitude was, well it serves you right and you deserved it. It certainly did me no harm.

[Chomper Higgot]

The problem I have with this is it fails to address the real problem ‘abuse’, only part of which , and perhaps the least damaging, is physical punishments.

 

[jippytum]

 It is noticable when travelling some western children  seem to be lacking parential guidence and control. 

Perhaps the banning of an occasional slap is one reason. 

[JonnyF]

Governments trying to tell parents how to parent. Ever increasing state powers. 

 

Obviously beating a child it totally unacceptable, but a symbolic clip round the ear is a completely different thing. They are trying to use the former to ban the latter. Deeply disingenuous. They want control over every aspect of your life. 

[john donson]

but but, they have videos instructing to do it

 

 

[Aussie999]

A smack didn't do me any harm... but I see what a lack of a smack has created today.

[JonnyF]

8 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

A smack didn't do me any harm... but I see what a lack of a smack has created today.

 

Agree. 

 

This is just the lefties trying to use the brutal, prolonged torture and murder of Sara Sharif by her parents to gain more state control over citizens. 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2024/oct/19/ban-smacking-in-england-now-says-childrens-commissioner

 

 

It's pretty sick when you think about it.

 

They have form when it comes to using heinous tragedies to empower themselves. They did the same with David Amess murder. Cynically tried to use the fact that Ali Harbi Ali stabbed him to death to crack down on the use of social media. 

[newbee2022]

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

The children’s commissioner for England, Rachel de Souza, has called for a nationwide ban on smacking children, joining the ranks of Scotland and Wales, where the practice is already illegal. De Souza, a former head teacher, argues that such legislation is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of children. In an interview with *The Observer*, she stressed the importance of taking this step to prevent violence against children, saying, “A ban on smacking is a necessary step to keep children safe and to stop lower-level violence from escalating.”

 

Currently, in England, smacking is permitted as long as it falls under the scope of "reasonable punishment," as outlined in Section 58 of the Children Act 2004. However, there is growing pressure for the UK Government to follow the examples set by Scotland, which banned smacking in 2020, and Wales, which followed suit two years later. De Souza, who has a long history of working with children, believes the time has come for England and Northern Ireland to adopt similar measures. She explained that "too many cases" have arisen where children have been harmed by those entrusted with their care. "I abhor violence of any kind against children. Children are more vulnerable than adults, so we need to ensure that they are protected, and their rights are supported," she emphasized.

 

 

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has also voiced its support for a ban, highlighting a sharp increase in concerns about physical punishment. According to the NSPCC, calls to their helpline about children being physically disciplined have more than tripled in the last year. Of the 1,451 contacts they received, nearly half were serious enough to warrant referrals to social services or the police. Anna Edmundson, head of policy and public affairs at the NSPCC, echoed De Souza’s concerns, noting that the rise in reports and the growing body of evidence shows the potential harm of physical punishment. "There is also mounting evidence that physically disciplining children can be damaging," Edmundson stated.

 

With the safety of children as a priority, De Souza's call for a smacking ban reflects a growing recognition of the need to protect children from all forms of violence. While the debate continues, the push for a nationwide ban is gaining momentum, driven by concerns about child welfare and the desire to prevent harm before it escalates.

 

Based on a report from the Daily Telegraph 2024-10-22

 

 

 

UK was always behind the times and reality. Wipe the dust and say Hello to this century.

[soalbundy]

5 hours ago, loong said:

Do they offer suggestions for alternative punishments or just to raise another generation of brats?
I am one of those who say that "It never did me any harm". Talking about smacking, not beating.

How is this woke agenda to be enforced?  "My mummy slapped me"    "No I didn't"    "yes you did"  "No I didn't"

[soalbundy]

5 hours ago, loong said:

Do they offer suggestions for alternative punishments or just to raise another generation of brats?
I am one of those who say that "It never did me any harm". Talking about smacking, not beating.

Try using reason and logic to a 4 year old throwing a fit in a supermarket because mummy won't buy him sweets, you know it makes sense.

[NoshowJones]

7 hours ago, loong said:

Do they offer suggestions for alternative punishments or just to raise another generation of brats?
I am one of those who say that "It never did me any harm". Talking about smacking, not beating.

What's wrong with denying privlegies for wayward children instead of assaulting them?

Smacking them is assault.

[PETERTHEEATER]

This woman needs to go sit on the naughty step. 😋

[black tabby12345]

16 hours ago, loong said:

Do they offer suggestions for alternative punishments or just to raise another generation of brats?
I am one of those who say that "It never did me any harm". Talking about smacking, not beating.

 

Spare the rod, spoil the child.

NZ once banned it in 07.

But that stupid law was repealed 2 years later(by their referendum).

While they are too young to understand words correctly, they must learn by pain

in case of wrongdoings.

Otherwise, they could well end up as Little Savages instead of Little Angels.

I strongly support sensible parental spanking.

 

 

[dantho]

On 10/22/2024 at 3:45 AM, Aussie999 said:

A smack didn't do me any harm... but I see what a lack of a smack has created today.

Totally agree with you