The debate over smacking children in England has reached a critical moment as leading doctors and child protection advocates call for a complete ban on the practice. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) argues that physical punishment is outdated, harmful, and unsupported by any scientific evidence of benefit.
The Push to End Physical Punishment Gains Momentum
The debate over whether smacking children should be outlawed in England has intensified as leading child health experts and campaigners call for an end to what they describe as an outdated and harmful form of discipline. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is spearheading a campaign to remove the “reasonable punishment” defence from English law, bringing it in line with Scotland and Wales, where all physical punishment of children is banned.
The Call for Legislative Change
The RCPCH, alongside other organisations such as the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Barnardo’s, argues that smacking has no positive effect on a child’s well-being and, in fact, increases their risk of physical harm, anxiety, and antisocial behaviour. Professor Andrew Rowland, RCPCH officer for child protection, stated:
“Now is the time for this Victorian-era punishment to go.”
The campaign for change is centred on an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, tabled by Labour MP Jess Asato in January. If enough MPs support the amendment, the defence of “reasonable punishment”- which has been in place since 1860 and is currently enshrined in the Children Act 2004 – would be removed.
Divisions in Parliament and the Public
While the call for reform has garnered widespread backing from child protection experts, it has met resistance from some corners. The Labour Government has expressed support for child protection reforms but has not yet confirmed whether it will back the specific amendment on smacking.
A Department for Education spokesperson described the current Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill as “the single biggest piece of child protection legislation in a generation,” without confirming whether it would support the amendment on smacking.
Public opinion is similarly divided. A YouGov poll of 3,500 adults conducted in January 2024 found that 71% of respondents believed smacking, hitting, slapping, or shaking a child was unacceptable.
Leanne Casey, a mother from Greater Manchester, said:
“Parents should be able to discipline how they see fit. I don’t agree with smacking children, but if a ban is what it takes, then I’d agree that is what you need to do.”
Campaign group Be Reasonable, which opposes the ban, argues that outlawing smacking could lead to unnecessary criminalisation of parents for minor disciplinary actions, such as tapping a child’s hand.
The Tragic Catalyst for Reform
Calls for a ban intensified following the harrowing case of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, who was murdered in August 2023 after enduring a two-year campaign of abuse at the hands of her father and stepmother. In his defence, Sara’s father claimed he had “legally punished” his daughter before her death.
While existing laws in England criminalise assault and cruelty towards children, campaigners argue that maintaining the defence of “reasonable punishment” creates a grey area that makes it harder to intervene in cases of escalating violence. Professor Rowland stated:
“Children who are physically punished are at increased risk of serious physical assault. A clear legal line is needed to ensure no child suffers in silence.”
A Contentious Road Ahead
The push to ban smacking reflects a broader trend towards strengthening child protection laws in the UK, but it also places the issue at the intersection of politics, personal freedoms, and societal attitudes towards discipline.
Labour MP Jess Asato has framed the amendment as a necessary modernisation, stating:
“Physical punishment is as outdated as it is harmful – and it’s long past time to put an end to it.”
While the Labour Government has yet to take a definitive stance on the amendment, pressure is mounting from child welfare organisations and legal experts. Given that similar changes have already been implemented in Scotland and Wales, England is now at a crossroads. The decision to remove the defence of “reasonable punishment” could define the country’s approach to children’s rights for years to come.
Final Thought
At its core, the debate over banning smacking in England is a question of whether physical punishment can ever be justified. Scientific evidence overwhelmingly suggests that smacking has no positive benefits and may lead to harmful long-term consequences. The case of Sara Sharif has only amplified calls for reform, serving as a grim reminder of the potential consequences of allowing any form of physical discipline.
As discussions continue in Parliament, the UK is faced with a pivotal decision: will England follow Scotland and Wales in protecting children from all forms of physical punishment, or will it maintain the status quo? The coming months will be critical in determining the future of child protection laws in England.
To watch Chamber UK’s previous interview with Associate Head of Policy at the NSPCC, Joanna Barrett, on whether a ban should be implemented, click below and subscribe to Chamber UK’s YouTube channel.
