NSPCC Northern Ireland has called on the political parties to get back to the table and work together to ban physical punishment of children here.
The call to action comes on the one-year anniversary of the introduction of equal protection in Wales, which made any type of corporal punishment, including smacking, hitting, slapping, and shaking, illegal.
Changing the law would also bring Northern Ireland in line with over 60 other countries, including Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
Read more: Charity shop staff left 'devastated' after cash stolen in overnight burglary
NSPCC research from 2022 has revealed that in Northern Ireland, almost two thirds (65%) of adults support a change in the law to protect children from being physically punished by their parents and carers. Among parents, carers and guardians this rose to 71%.
Currently, the law in Northern Ireland allows a parent or carer physically punish a child, by using a defence of ‘reasonable punishment’ if they are charged with an offence of assault.
As the law stands, it leaves children in Northern Ireland with less protection from assault than their peers in most other parts of the UK and Ireland.
The moves in other countries reflect a growing evidence base on the detrimental effects of, and changing public attitudes to, physical punishment of children.
Researchers at University College of London (UCL) and an international team of experts have analysed 20 years of research on the topic. Their conclusion in 2021 was that physical punishment is ineffective and harmful and has no benefits for children and their families.
The NSPCC wants to see a change in the law coinciding with effective support for families in Northern Ireland on more effective ways of managing children’s behaviour, such as positive parenting.
With only 33% of parents, guardians and carers here having reported receiving information on positive parenting, the NSPCC is calling on the Government to provide inclusive and comprehensive positive parenting advice and information to better support parents and carers.
Natalie Whelehan, Policy and Public Affairs Manager for NSPCC Northern Ireland, said: “We know from our research that parents and carers do not believe that physical punishment is an effective form of discipline. We also know that it can be a key risk factor for more serious physical abuse.
“There is a clear tidal wave of support for a change in the law to remove the defence of ‘reasonable punishment’ and give our children equal protection in law from assault as adults.
“But we also understand, particularly with the cost-of-living crisis we are facing, that families are under enormous pressure. Shockingly only a third of parents who took part in our research had ever received any information to support them to parent more positively and effectively without the use of physical punishment.
“Families are being let down and we need to see immediate investment for parents and carers in this challenging aspect of parenthood.
“We urge our politicians to make this a priority for a reformed Northern Ireland Executive and move forward together to change the law to better protect children in Northern Ireland from this harmful and ineffective form of punishment and support families in line with its commitments on positive parenting.”
READ NEXT:
Belfast mum's upset as crucial autism legislation in jeopardy over funding
Call for stronger sentences for attacks on emergency service staff
- NI mum's bakery business on the rise ahead of sixth shop opening
Childline calls up 40% in NI as children worry about rising cost of living
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
