Nursery World - Law must change

Equal protection is every child's right. Yet, though children are the smallest and most fragile, the law allowing 'reasonable chastisement' means that they have less protection from being hit in the home than adults. It just doesn't make sense. So-called 'reasonable chastisement' sends out a dangerous and misleading message about the acceptability of violence towards children and, in some cases, the legal defence is used in court to excuse beatings. Dating back to 1860, this law is out of step with modern family values.

So-called 'reasonable chastisement' sends out a dangerous and misleading message about the acceptability of violence towards children and, in some cases, the legal defence is used in court to excuse beatings. Dating back to 1860, this law is out of step with modern family values.

Cultural change is badly needed and only the law can drive this forward.

The last substantial study, commissioned by the Department of Health in the 1990s, shows that most children are hit and around a third are punished severely. Belts, canes and slippers are still used and most babies are 'smacked' before their first birthday.

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