SMACKING children will become a crime in Wales in a matter of weeks.
The law changes on Monday, March 21, removing the legal defence of ‘reasonable punishment’ and opening the possibility for anyone who smacks a child to be prosecuted for assault.
The Welsh Government passed the law change two years ago, seeing off opposition in the Senedd to win a vote 36-14 on what was described as a “landmark day for children in Wales”.
The government said the law change would help “protect children and their rights, and give them the best start in life”. By banning smacking, ministers argue children in Wales are now given the same protections from assault as adults.
Physical punishment (including smacking, hitting, slapping and shaking) is “not a necessary part of disciplining children” and “doesn’t help children learn about self-control or appropriate behaviour”, the Welsh Government advises, adding that such punishments can hurt children and give them the message violence is an “appropriate response to strong feelings”.
The new law will apply to everyone…
