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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Ella Pickover

Stop ‘Victorian-era’ punishment of smacking, say doctors

It is time for the legal defence for smacking to be abolished, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health says -

Leading children’s doctors are calling for a ban on smacking in England, arguing that the “Victorian-era” punishment puts children at risk of significant physical harm.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is urging politicians to back an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which would remove the current "reasonable punishment" defence for smacking outlined in the Children Act 2004.

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