Press Releases in response to 'Ministers say law on "reasonable chastisement" won't change in England and Wales'

NSPCC: "A step backwards for child protection"

NSPCC Director Mary Marshcommented on the Department of Health announcement: "We must protect children and support parents. This announcement does neither and is a step backwards for child protection.

"It is scandalous that the Government has ignored the view of virtually every child protection and health professional in the country.

"The Dickensian idea of reasonable chastisement has no place in a modern civilised society. Children should enjoy the same legal protection from being hit as that afforded to adults. Anything less puts children at risk.

"By failing to meet even the minimum standard set by the Scottish Executive, the Government is sending a dangerous message to parents that it is okay to hit children, even babies and toddlers, south of the Scottish border. Such a situation would be absurd.

"By ducking a law against hitting children and not investing heavily in public education, the Government has dealt a cruel blow to child protection and misread the public mood. Parents are prepared for legal reform, but also want help and advice."

For further information contact
NSPCC media office on 0207 825 2711/2/3/4/5

Save the Children: "Missed opportunity"

Save the Children UK expressed ‘deep disappointment’ with the Government's response to the consultation on physical punishment towards children. It argued that instead of taking the opportunity to make bold strides for children's rights and protection in England & Wales, the Government had missed an opportunity to legislate for the common good.

Mike Aaronson, Director General of Save the Children said : "In this country, every minute of every day, a child is hit by an adult. It simply isn’t necessary when we know there are other non – violent methods of disciplining children. How can the Government justify allowing this to happen, and continue the confusion in Courts of Law when it is evidently clear that the defence of ‘reasonable chastisement’ does nothing to ensure the safety of our children? Violence of this sort directed from one adult to another could constitute a breach of the law, so how can an adult inflict it on a child with impunity?"

"Children will continue to be put at risk whilst the legal defence of 'reasonable chastisement' exists, because of the inconsistent interpretation of this rule. In the past this has been used to justify all manner of beatings including assaults on children with electrical flex and high-heeled shoes.

"The Government has frequently promoted human rights on the international stage; it is important to remember that our children are human too and hold these same human rights."

Save the Children Press Office 020 7716 2280 (out of office hours 07831 650 409)

Barnardo’s ‘astonishment’ at Government’s lack of action on smacking

The UK’s largest children’s charity Barnardo’s has reacted with dismay to the announcement by Health Secretary Alan Milburn that in England and Wales it will continue to be legal to hit children under three.

Barnardo’s has campaigned alongside childcare organisations for the Government to afford children full protection from assault and give proper support to parents in finding alternative means of disciplining children.

Barnardo’s Alan Coombe said of the decision: ‘We are astonished and very disappointed that the Government has not taken this opportunity to amend the law to better protect young children, particularly in the light of planned changes in Scotland, where it will be illegal to hit children with implements or on the head and those under the age of three.'

Roger Singleton CBE, Barnardo’s Chief Executive added: "We have always said that it is essential to provide more protection to children from assault, so the Secretary of State’s announcement that this will not happen for English and Welsh children is very disappointing. Scotland’s example of making illegal the hitting of children under three or with an implement was progress.

"But even that wasn’t enough. It is impossible to limit the amount of force which can be used and the best way of helping parents control their children is a real programme of parental support and education coupled with a ban on all physical chastisement." he added.

Barnardo’s believes that it is also wrong to draw a line where reasonable punishment ends and real abuse begins. Most parents who are found guilty of physical abuse say that abuse began as a punishment that got out of hand. By retaining the defence of reasonable punishment any guidelines given to courts will be open to interpretation and this will continue to lead to confusion among parents.

The charity also maintains that there is no evidence to say that smacking works as a means of changing behaviour.

Roger Singleton said: ‘Children need discipline, boundaries and a clear framework to help them to understand what is and is not acceptable behaviour – but this does not need to include hitting them. Clearer legislation, which stops smacking and violence against children would make it far easier for families to set their own boundaries and think about alternatives to smacking.’

For further information call Barnardo’s Press Office on 0208 498 7555 (24 hours).