Fewer than five people have been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for allegedly breaking Wales’ new law banning smacking. The legislation, which came into force a year ago, has also seen more than 50 people referred to the out-of-court parenting service.
The Welsh Government’s Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020 new law provides children in Wales with the same protection from assault as adults. In the first six months after it came into force in March 2022 there were 55 referrals for the out-of-court parenting support across Wales by the police, the Welsh Government confirmed.
The number of those referred to the CPS by the police can’t be published because it risks identifying those involved but a spokesperson said the figure was less than five. The Welsh Government could not confirm whether those referred to court were prosecuted or what the outcome was. You can read more about how the law on smacking works here.
