|
|
Campaigners say "reasonable chastisement"
should be
illegal |
Public debate
Under
the law,
which came into force in January 2005, mild smacking is allowed but any
punishment which causes visible bruising, grazes, scratches, minor
swellings or cuts can face action.
The
then
children's minister Margaret Hodge promised MPs that the law, which
sparked considerable public debate, would be reviewed to see how it was
working.
The
current
minister Ms Hughes said it was clear that violence against a child was
illegal.
"Parliament
did
not go as far as to ban all smacking because it didn't want to see
decent parents criminalised.
"We
have no
reason to believe that the current law needs to be changed. However, in
2004 we made a proper commitment to examine the practical consequences
of the changes to the legislation and this consultation is fulfilling
that commitment.
"We
also said we
would be separately seeking parents' views on physical punishment and
this will done through a parental survey."
'Meddling'
Children's
charity the NSPCC says the law is flawed and has called for a total ban
on smacking.
Last
month
Britain's four child commissioners called for a total ban, insisting
there was "no room for compromise" on the issue.
Campaign
group 11
Million, headed by England's Children's Commissioner, Al Aynsley-Green,
said it recognised that parenting was sometimes a difficult job and
there was a need for help in finding positive and effective forms of
discipline.
But
chief
executive Rob Williams said: "Fear and intimidation can never be a
positive part of childhood.
"Children
are
rightly protected from assault in school and other settings.
"It
is time for
the law to protect them from violence at home where, of all places,
they should expect to feel safe and secure."
But
shadow
children's minister, Tim Loughton, said: "Even though this issue was
debated barely three ago, Labour ministers cannot resist meddling in
how parents look after their children.
"Bringing
up
children is a big enough challenge already without opening up this can
of worms, which is all about nanny state rather than trusting parents
to bring up their children as they see fit."
