'Time to act' on smacking ban - commissioner

The Northern Ireland Children’s Commissioner has backed calls for smacking to be banned.

It follows a report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) which found current laws in Northern Ireland and England are “unjust and dangerously vague”.

Chris Quinn said the debate around the issue has been had and “it’s now time to act”.

Smacking children in Scotland was made illegal in 2020 and in Wales in 2022.

The report from the RCPCH warned children suffer lasting mental and physical effects from being struck.

The Children’s Commissioner Chris Quinn is urging the Executive to back the campaign for legislative change

“It’s never okay to use violence, it’s never okay to use violence against children and I think we need to educate society as to how we put their priorities first and learn from what other countries have done on this issue,” said Mr Quinn.

At present, if a child is smacked, hit or slapped in England and Northern Ireland, parents may be able to argue that this was “reasonable punishment” and avoid breaking the law.

The Children Act 2004 states it is unlawful to assault a child causing actual or grievous bodily harm, or cruelty.

But a review of studies by RCPCH found smacking can be damaging to children’s behaviour, health and wellbeing.

Dr Ray Nethercott, who is the RCPCH Officer for Ireland, said: “Rectifying the legislation is the first step in try to get to a new state of play where children have equal rights of protection in law as adults with regards to physical assault.

Dr Ray Nethercott from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health says smacking children “normalises violence”

“There is an assault, there is a physical connection that produces a painful response in the child. Parents maybe believe that they are very measured in what they do but they do produce a painful negative response with a smack.”

‘Divisive issue’

Chris Quinn said his call was not about shaming parents or introducing punitive measures, “because whilst being a parent is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world it can also be one of the most difficult”.

“It can be a divisive issue but the evidence is strong,” he continued.

A spokesperson for Stormont’s Department of Health said: “This is a cross-cutting issue which is relevant to a number of departments.

“Any decision to amend the legal position will require the agreement of the Northern Ireland Executive.

“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.”