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NEWS EXTRA

Smacking amendment 'will cause confusion'

The Evangelical Alliance has welcomed the House of Lords rejection of an absolute ban on smacking, but says it is disappointed at the decision to accept Lord Lester's compromise amendment to the Children Bill.

The Alliance believes it will remove the longstanding legal defence of reasonable chastisement, while still failing to address the serious issue of child abuse.
Lord Lester's amendment was agreed because most peers believed they were voting for continued legal approval for a mild form of smacking so long as it does not cause 'bruises, scratches, reddening of the skin, mental harm, and outlaws the use of implements.'

However, the Alliance believes the effect of this amendment will cause confusion about how to interpret the law in practice, making it either unworkable or leading to a complete ban on smacking in due course.

Don Horrocks for the Evangelical Alliance commented: "There is little doubt that this amendment to the Children Bill has the potential to produce a high level of Court intervention against caring loving parents who choose, where appropriate, to employ physical discipline.

"This would criminalise good parents and intrude into family life. It is regrettable that the law seems incapable of making a distinction between smacking and negative, emotive categories such as 'assault', 'battery' and 'beating'. While many parents choose not to use physical discipline in the home, nevertheless we continue to believe that the option of employing moderate smacking within a loving family environment can benefit the development and growth of children. Parents - not the State - are best placed to make such decisions."

He continued, "Along with many lawyers and concerned members of the public we shall be looking closely at the practical implications of the amendment and will be seeking legal clarification."

What’s your view on smacking? Mail us at info@cfnetwork.co.uk or post your views on the Bulletin Board

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		NEWS EXTRA Smacking amendment 'will cause confusion' The Evangelical Alliance has welcomed the House of Lords rejection of an absolute ban on smacking, but says it is disappointed at the decision to accept Lord Lester's compromise amendment to the Children Bill. The Alliance believes it will remove the longstanding legal defence of reasonable chastisement, while still failing to address the serious issue of child abuse. Lord Lester's amendment was agreed because most peers believed they were voting for continued legal approval for a mild form of smacking so long as it does not cause 'bruises, scratches, reddening of the skin, mental harm, and outlaws the use of implements.' However, the Alliance believes the effect of this amendment will cause confusion about how to interpret the law in practice, making it either unworkable or leading to a complete ban on smacking in due course. Don Horrocks for the Evangelical Alliance commented: "There is little doubt that this amendment to the Children Bill has the potential to produce a high level of Court intervention against caring loving parents who choose, where appropriate, to employ physical discipline. "This would criminalise good parents and intrude into family life. It is regrettable that the law seems incapable of making a distinction between smacking and negative, emotive categories such as 'assault', 'battery' and 'beating'. While many parents choose not to use physical discipline in the home, nevertheless we continue to believe that the option of employing moderate smacking within a loving family environment can benefit the development and growth of children. Parents - not the State - are best placed to make such decisions." He continued, "Along with many lawyers and concerned members of the public we shall be looking closely at the practical implications of the amendment and will be seeking legal clarification." What’s your view on smacking? Mail us at info@cfnetwork.co.uk or post your views on the Bulletin Board © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.