Nursery World - Smacking reform is condemned

Child protection campaigners have condemned as unworkable last week's 'half-hearted law reform' which maintains parents' right to lightly smack their children. The House of Lords voted against a proposal to abolish the legal defence of 'reasonable chastisement', following a three- line whip imposed by both the Labour and Conservative parties.

The House of Lords voted against a proposal to abolish the legal defence of 'reasonable chastisement', following a three- line whip imposed by both the Labour and Conservative parties.

But voting was 226 to 91 in favour of a compromise amendment that bans parents from giving a smack that causes bruises, reddening of the skin or mental harm.

NSPCC director and chief executive Mary Marsh said the amendment would not fully protect children. 'It still sends out a dangerous and misleading message that violence towards children is safe and acceptable.

'Complete abolition of the reasonable chastisement defence law is the only reasonable way forward. Half-hearted law reform, which defines an acceptable threshold of violence towards children, won't work.'

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