Doctors Urge Ban on Smacking Children, Calling It a Harmful ‘Victorian’ Practice

[Social Media]

 

Medical experts are pushing for a complete ban on smacking children in England, arguing that it is a form of punishment that belongs in the past. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has stated that smacking poses a serious risk to children’s physical and emotional well-being and should be outlawed entirely.  

 

Under current law, the Children Act 2004 prohibits hitting a child, but an exception is made for “reasonable punishment,” which is determined on a case-by-case basis. The RCPCH is now calling on parliamentarians to support an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would remove this legal defence, making any form of smacking unlawful.  

 

Professor Andrew Rowland, a consultant paediatrician and the RCPCH officer for child protection, strongly supports the amendment. “Now is the time for this Victorian-era punishment to go, and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill amendment will do that if passed,” he said. He emphasized that scientific research shows smacking has no benefits but instead causes lasting harm. “It harms their physical health, places them at increased risk of serious physical assault, it harms their mental health and it harms their emotional health and their wellbeing – all of that is shown in robust scientific evidence,” he explained.  

 

According to Professor Rowland, 67 countries have already implemented smacking bans, and another 20 are in the process of doing so. He argued that England should follow suit and that the proposed amendment is not about creating new laws but simply about removing an outdated legal defence. “It’s not a new law, it’s just removal of a technical defence. First of all, prohibit a technical legal defence, remove that from legislation, and, secondly, engage with families in the lead-up to that becoming law,” he said.  

 

He also stressed the urgency of the issue, warning that if action is not taken soon, the opportunity to implement the change in this Parliament could be lost. “There is a real risk that there won’t be time throughout the remainder of this Parliament to bring in the legislation that children need,” he said.  

 

The call for a smacking ban has gained momentum following the tragic case of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, who was murdered in August 2023 after enduring years of abuse from her father and stepmother. When asked about the case, Professor Rowland described it as “absolutely horrendous” and stated that no child should suffer in such a way. He argued that physical punishment increases the risk of serious harm to children and that banning it would help protect them. “If we want to stop that, the first step has got to be to remove the defence of reasonable punishment.

 

That will make it easier – easier for people like me as a paediatrician working in child protection services, for social workers, for police officers, to draw a line and say there are never any circumstances involved where physical punishment of children is ever legal,” he said.  

 

Public opinion appears to align with these calls for reform. A YouGov poll commissioned by the NSPCC found that 71 percent of adults in England believe that smacking, hitting, slapping, or shaking a child is unacceptable. Labour MP Jess Asato, who proposed the amendment, also underscored the need for change. “The health impact evidence of assault on children is clear, and that’s why so many other countries, including Scotland and Wales, have now ensured that children have equal protection from assault and battery. Physical punishment is as outdated as it is harmful – and it’s been long since time to put an end to it,” she said.  

 

With growing pressure from medical professionals, child welfare organizations, and the public, the debate over smacking laws in England continues to intensify. Advocates argue that removing the “reasonable punishment” defence is a crucial step toward safeguarding children from harm and ensuring they have the same legal protection as adults against physical violence.

 

Based on a report by The Telegraph  2025-03-08

 

 

[BritManToo]

I've never been that keen on hitting children.

Shaking is totally unacceptable.

 

But then again, taking them away from their parents to be put in social care where they are abused by everyone isn't really satisfactory either.

[IvorBiggun2]

Looking back I would say smacking is/was a good thing. I'm sure I'd have been locked away if there hadn't been for  the fear of my father taking the belt to me and my brother.

[fredwiggy]

3 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

Looking back I would say smacking is/was a good thing. I'm sure I'd have been locked away if there hadn't been for  the fear of my father taking the belt to me and my brother.

I was rarely hit by my parents, remembering only a couple of occasions, so I adopted that when I had children.Only a couple of smacks on the butt and it bothered me more than them. Hitting teaches hitting solves problems. Children don't have to fear but respect their elders, parents first, and that comes from fair but stern treatment. Not allowing them to get away with bad behavior shows them how to control their own emotions. Children that are beaten will many times later grow up beating their wives, girlfriends and children.

[jippytum]

Absolute rubbish. I see Russian kids running amok iin our condo that could do with a parential slap. 

[newbee2022]

8 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Medical experts are pushing for a complete ban on smacking children in England, arguing that it is a form of punishment that belongs in the past. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has stated that smacking poses a serious risk to children’s physical and emotional well-being and should be outlawed entirely.  

 

Under current law, the Children Act 2004 prohibits hitting a child, but an exception is made for “reasonable punishment,” which is determined on a case-by-case basis. The RCPCH is now calling on parliamentarians to support an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would remove this legal defence, making any form of smacking unlawful.  

 

Professor Andrew Rowland, a consultant paediatrician and the RCPCH officer for child protection, strongly supports the amendment. “Now is the time for this Victorian-era punishment to go, and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill amendment will do that if passed,” he said. He emphasized that scientific research shows smacking has no benefits but instead causes lasting harm. “It harms their physical health, places them at increased risk of serious physical assault, it harms their mental health and it harms their emotional health and their wellbeing – all of that is shown in robust scientific evidence,” he explained.  

 

 

According to Professor Rowland, 67 countries have already implemented smacking bans, and another 20 are in the process of doing so. He argued that England should follow suit and that the proposed amendment is not about creating new laws but simply about removing an outdated legal defence. “It’s not a new law, it’s just removal of a technical defence. First of all, prohibit a technical legal defence, remove that from legislation, and, secondly, engage with families in the lead-up to that becoming law,” he said.  

 

He also stressed the urgency of the issue, warning that if action is not taken soon, the opportunity to implement the change in this Parliament could be lost. “There is a real risk that there won’t be time throughout the remainder of this Parliament to bring in the legislation that children need,” he said.  

 

The call for a smacking ban has gained momentum following the tragic case of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, who was murdered in August 2023 after enduring years of abuse from her father and stepmother. When asked about the case, Professor Rowland described it as “absolutely horrendous” and stated that no child should suffer in such a way. He argued that physical punishment increases the risk of serious harm to children and that banning it would help protect them. “If we want to stop that, the first step has got to be to remove the defence of reasonable punishment.

 

That will make it easier – easier for people like me as a paediatrician working in child protection services, for social workers, for police officers, to draw a line and say there are never any circumstances involved where physical punishment of children is ever legal,” he said.  

 

Public opinion appears to align with these calls for reform. A YouGov poll commissioned by the NSPCC found that 71 percent of adults in England believe that smacking, hitting, slapping, or shaking a child is unacceptable. Labour MP Jess Asato, who proposed the amendment, also underscored the need for change. “The health impact evidence of assault on children is clear, and that’s why so many other countries, including Scotland and Wales, have now ensured that children have equal protection from assault and battery. Physical punishment is as outdated as it is harmful – and it’s been long since time to put an end to it,” she said.  

 

With growing pressure from medical professionals, child welfare organizations, and the public, the debate over smacking laws in England continues to intensify. Advocates argue that removing the “reasonable punishment” defence is a crucial step toward safeguarding children from harm and ensuring they have the same legal protection as adults against physical violence.

 

Based on a report by The Telegraph  2025-03-08

 

 

Finally UK too

[Tiger1980]

A friend of mine called Chris ( ex miner ) had a highly charged teenage son, who was causing a lot of problems. One day his wife rang him and explained the son was playing up, so Chris went home and gave his son a good beating.

The outcome was his son thanked him many years later, saying that if his father had not taken that stern action he would most certainly have finished up in prison, instead of the good person he grew up to be.

Would this be applicable to all children I think not, as all children are different. 
 

[Purdey]

Aye a good beating never hurt anyone. 

[klauskunkel]

I think the absolute best solution is to not have children at all

-or-

in order for civilization to continue, have them raised by AI

[digger70]

Doctors Urge Ban on Smacking Children, Calling It a Harmful ‘Victorian’ Practice

 

Those doctors do they have Kids ?

Let them get away with everything when talking to them doesn't work.

Give them what they want to shut them up  .( like many kids here )

Just look around and see where that gets  them.

Let them grow up being A holes  thugs/crims .

A good smacking does good (not killing them)  .

We grew up Respecting our Parents We had some smacks  we Deserved them for what we did .

 

 

[youreavinalaff]

20 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

I was rarely hit by my parents, remembering only a couple of occasions, so I adopted that when I had children.Only a couple of smacks on the butt and it bothered me more than them. Hitting teaches hitting solves problems. Children don't have to fear but respect their elders, parents first, and that comes from fair but stern treatment. Not allowing them to get away with bad behavior shows them how to control their own emotions. Children that are beaten will many times later grow up beating their wives, girlfriends and children.

You are missing the point. There us a big difference between discipline and beating. The same as there is a big difference between discipline and abuse.

[SAFETY FIRST]

21 hours ago, Social Media said:

Doctors Urge Ban on Smacking Children 

I'd be in prison today if my parents never gave me the occasional SMACK 

[Smokin Joe]

7 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I'd be in prison today if my parents never gave me the occasional SMACK 

 

When I was in Junior High School (Grades 7-9) in the US Midwest they still allowed paddling. This was around 1969-1972. I think it was limited to three swats maximum. 

 

Most of the male teachers did it themselves. The women sent them to the Asst Principal who was a former boxer with a cauliflower ear. Despite his appearance he was actually a very nice guy and didn't put full effort into his swats. The shop teacher did make paddles for the women teachers, but they just hung on the wall as a symbol of authority, but were never used.

 

I had my share of these until the day I was acting up in band class. I think it was for throwing a paper plane out the window. The band teacher told me to come up front for my punishment but as he was getting his paddle off the wall he stopped and said "I don't think my paddle is the right one for the job". 

 

My mother was a math teacher at the school and I had to go ask to borrow her paddle. Quite embarrassing to interrupt her class to ask for it.

[SAFETY FIRST]

3 hours ago, Smokin Joe said:

as he was getting his paddle off 

Wow, that sounds a bit kinky. 

 

Maybe we should substitute paddle for whacking stick. 

 

[Ralf001]

Clip up the side of the ear hurt no child.

 

My mum used to love the jug cord !

[xylophone]

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Clip up the side of the ear hurt no child.

 

My mum used to love the jug cord !

That explains a lot!!

[black tabby12345]

23 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

I think the absolute best solution is to not have children at all

-or-

in order for civilization to continue, have them raised by AI

 

At this stage, AI is far from Clever Enough.

Net banking site's Virtual Assistants(AI) , often cannot understand plain language properly.

And they quite frequently request "Rephrase".

 

Even though it might be eventually smarter.

While waiting for them to grow Mature Enough, mankind can start to head for extinction.

 

While the lower birth rate of the 3rd world countries will reduce impact  on Earth...

[JonnyF]

Nothing wrong with a clip round the ear.

 

There are already laws in place for anything that goes beyond that.

 

I suspect these doctors are socialists who believe it is the job of the state to raise the children. The parents are just there to create them. After that they can be handed over to the system for social engineering.