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Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

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Original poster

Is smacking a child actually illegal?

10 replies

NickRobinsonsloveslave · 30/04/2011 22:19

Please can someone clarify this as I have been reading a thread where a number of parents said they smacked their DCs when naughty.

I am confused as child pyschologist told me it was, but I'm not sure.

OP posts:

meditrina · 30/04/2011 22:21

Not in UK.

Though hitting a child can be assault/abuse depending on a reasonableness test (which is not well defined and probably for a jury to decide).

Danthe4th · 30/04/2011 22:22

If the smack leaves a mark then yes you can be prosecuted. When the law was changed they stopped short of making all smacking illegal. This is how I remember it anyway.

gettingtogrips · 30/04/2011 22:25

I forget the exact phrasing but I think it's illegal to smack hard enough to leave a mark or to use an implement.

Original poster

NickRobinsonsloveslave · 30/04/2011 22:33

Right, so it's NOT illegal if it's say a short slap on bottom, yes?

Child phsyc basically grilled me and said that she should report us to SS! I was totally gobsmacked. She has informed us that she will be sending one of her associates to our home to talk about this.

DS told her that he preferred me to DH because when he was naughty 'dad would smack his bum'. DH is stricter than me, but he gives a short slap on the bottom for really bad behaviour only, ie, hurting his sister.

I was actually present when DS told Child Physc this so it's not as if DS didn't want me to hear.

She even asked me if I was a victim of DV. Was so mortified I nearly cried with embarressment.

Anyway, just wanted to get the facts straight re legality.

OP posts:

freddy05 · 30/04/2011 22:35

Parents my smack their child in reasonable chastisement.

Cymar · 30/04/2011 22:55

Not illegal, although if you leave a mark then you could be prosecuted.

hmc · 30/04/2011 23:05

Not illegal but ill advised

Original poster

NickRobinsonsloveslave · 30/04/2011 23:07

ok, thanks.

OP posts:

claire201 · 30/04/2011 23:09

I think you are only allowed to do it to stop the child from being a risk to themselves- for example if they were going to run in front of a car- you can't do it as a punishment for being naughty!! I covered this at university- I did law, and the new laws had just come in but it is all a bit vague now!

Original poster

NickRobinsonsloveslave · 01/05/2011 12:01

Yes, that's what's bothering me, it is all a bit vague. I mean, how are parents supposed to know if the law itself is not laid out clearly?

OP posts:

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