Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LAWS SMACKLASH
‘Reasonable punishment’ clause in NI is unjust and vague, says medic
must be changed to ensure smacking a child is not seen as acceptable in any circumstances, paediatricians have urged.
Legislation in England and Northern Ireland has created “grey areas” which mean there is sometimes a defence to physical punishment, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said.
The RCPCH said amendments to the Children Act 2004 for England and the Law Reform Order 2006 for Northern Ireland “to remove the ‘reasonable punishment’ defence from all UK law are long overdue”. Its report on the issue argued that, ahead of a UK General Election, this was a time for all political parties to “make meaningful commitments on this important children’s rights issue”.
Professor Andrew Rowland, a consultant paediatrician and RCPCH officer for child protection, said: “The laws around physical punishment as they stand are unjust and dangerously vague. They create a grey area in which some forms of physical punishment may be lawful, and some are not. There must be no grey areas when it comes to safeguarding children.
“Changing the laws in England and Northern Ireland will give us absolute clarity and ensure there are no instances where it is acceptable or lawful to smack a child.”
A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Department of Health said any decision to amend the legal position “will require the agreement of the Northern Ireland Executive”.
They added: “The Department of Health continues to play an important role in supporting parents and carers of children and young people and in particular to promote positive parenting behaviours.”
The Northern Ireland Government was contacted for comment.