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Fears over new smacking laws

Christian charity CARE has expressed concern about the ramifications of new legislation on smacking.

The changes, which come as part of the Children Bill, will mean that the defence of ‘reasonable chastisement’ will no longer operate in the same way and that only light smacks will remain legal.

The House of Commons rejected a total ban, which was tabled by David Hinchcliffe MP, by 424 votes to 75. However, they retained the so-called ‘Lester amendment’, which introduced a partial ban and was supported by the Government, by 284 to 208 votes.

During the debate on the clauses, the Minister for Children Margaret Hodge said: "A total ban on smacking could criminalise most parents. That is surely not what we are about. Let us focus on the more important job of safeguarding and protecting children who are in real danger of harm and abuse. Let us support parents in the most difficult and important job of bringing up their children."

Responding to the votes, Head of Public Policy at CARE, Roger Smith said: "The Government should be congratulated on trying to adopt a common sense approach to this issue, but there are still questions to be answered. New prosecution guidelines will be issued – we hope that they will reflect the public mood and recognise that heavy state intervention, especially in fragile families, can be the worst outcome for all.

"The new legislation could result in the attention of the police and statutory services being drawn from cases of genuine need and the need to protect the most vulnerable children."

CARE argues that physical discipline of children in the form of smacking and within the context of a loving family environment constitutes a small but nevertheless important part of the role of parents in raising their children. Used in the context of loving parent-child relationships, smacking can help children understand and develop boundaries of behaviour, especially in situations where they or others may be in danger.

'Reality' hailed a success in Northern Ireland

Some 1,600 women from across Northern Ireland were inspired to 'help the hurting' at Reality, a series of four events organised across the province by national charity Care for the Family.

The evening events, held in Enniskillen, Craigavon, Ballymena and Londonderry, featured the music and insight of Joanne Hogg, former lead singer with Celtic folk band Iona. Joanne told the crowds who packed the sold-out venues about the emotions and feelings she had experienced following two very different family bereavements, one quite sudden and one drawn out. Her experiences and how she was helped gave those attending an insight into how best to support those who are hurting.

Joanne also shared her experiences of infertility and uplifted the crowd with several original songs, one written especially for Reality. Care for the Family's Northern Ireland Manager, Jean Gibson, said afterwards that the response had shown Joanne's message had been appreciated. "We have had phone calls after every event from people saying how much they enjoyed it," said Jean. "People really benefited from Reality happening near where they live."

For more information on Care for the Family's work in Northern Ireland please contact: Care for the Family, 3 Wallace Avenue, Lisburn, BT27 4AA or call the Northern Ireland office on (028) 9262 8050. Information can also be found at www.careforthefamily.org.uk

UK believers see 'morning after' pill as form of abortion

A survey of more than 1,000 UK Christians has revealed that the majority are opposed to the rise of the so-called morning after pill.

Around two-thirds of those interviewed on behalf of the telephone helpline, Premier Lifeline, said that they regard the pill as a form of abortion, rather than a contraceptive. They also believe that parents should have a right to know when their under-age children have been prescribed the drug, according to the report.

Although 65% of leaders saw use of the drug as a method of abortion, the same number felt that it was acceptable in the case of a rape. Only 12% believed its use was justified after a 'one night stand' sexual encounter, however.

As practical alternatives, respondents suggested better sex education in schools (56% of church leaders, 54% of members) and abstinence (83% and 78%). Only 9% of leaders and 12% of members felt that the pill should be made available to under-16s without the permission of parents. The vast majority were unhappy that chemists, schools and walk-in centres now make the pill available, believing that this should be exclusively the domain of the local GP.

Nearly 400 church leaders from across the denominations took part in the survey, alongside more than 750 church members. The survey was conducted online via the website www.premier.org.uk

© 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 Fears over new smacking laws Christian charity CARE has expressed concern about the ramifications of new legislation on smacking. The changes, which come as part of the Children Bill, will mean that the defence of ‘reasonable chastisement’ will no longer operate in the same way and that only light smacks will remain legal. The House of Commons rejected a total ban, which was tabled by David Hinchcliffe MP, by 424 votes to 75. However, they retained the so-called ‘Lester amendment’, which introduced a partial ban and was supported by the Government, by 284 to 208 votes. During the debate on the clauses, the Minister for Children Margaret Hodge said: "A total ban on smacking could criminalise most parents. That is surely not what we are about. Let us focus on the more important job of safeguarding and protecting children who are in real danger of harm and abuse. Let us support parents in the most difficult and important job of bringing up their children." Responding to the votes, Head of Public Policy at CARE, Roger Smith said: "The Government should be congratulated on trying to adopt a common sense approach to this issue, but there are still questions to be answered. New prosecution guidelines will be issued – we hope that they will reflect the public mood and recognise that heavy state intervention, especially in fragile families, can be the worst outcome for all. "The new legislation could result in the attention of the police and statutory services being drawn from cases of genuine need and the need to protect the most vulnerable children." CARE argues that physical discipline of children in the form of smacking and within the context of a loving family environment constitutes a small but nevertheless important part of the role of parents in raising their children. Used in the context of loving parent-child relationships, smacking can help children understand and develop boundaries of behaviour, especially in situations where they or others may be in danger. 'Reality' hailed a success in Northern Ireland Some 1,600 women from across Northern Ireland were inspired to 'help the hurting' at Reality, a series of four events organised across the province by national charity Care for the Family. The evening events, held in Enniskillen, Craigavon, Ballymena and Londonderry, featured the music and insight of Joanne Hogg, former lead singer with Celtic folk band Iona. Joanne told the crowds who packed the sold-out venues about the emotions and feelings she had experienced following two very different family bereavements, one quite sudden and one drawn out. Her experiences and how she was helped gave those attending an insight into how best to support those who are hurting. Joanne also shared her experiences of infertility and uplifted the crowd with several original songs, one written especially for Reality. Care for the Family's Northern Ireland Manager, Jean Gibson, said afterwards that the response had shown Joanne's message had been appreciated. "We have had phone calls after every event from people saying how much they enjoyed it," said Jean. "People really benefited from Reality happening near where they live." For more information on Care for the Family's work in Northern Ireland please contact: Care for the Family, 3 Wallace Avenue, Lisburn, BT27 4AA or call the Northern Ireland office on (028) 9262 8050. Information can also be found at www.careforthefamily.org.uk UK believers see 'morning after' pill as form of abortion A survey of more than 1,000 UK Christians has revealed that the majority are opposed to the rise of the so-called morning after pill. Around two-thirds of those interviewed on behalf of the telephone helpline, Premier Lifeline, said that they regard the pill as a form of abortion, rather than a contraceptive. They also believe that parents should have a right to know when their under-age children have been prescribed the drug, according to the report. Although 65% of leaders saw use of the drug as a method of abortion, the same number felt that it was acceptable in the case of a rape. Only 12% believed its use was justified after a 'one night stand' sexual encounter, however. As practical alternatives, respondents suggested better sex education in schools (56% of church leaders, 54% of members) and abstinence (83% and 78%). Only 9% of leaders and 12% of members felt that the pill should be made available to under-16s without the permission of parents. The vast majority were unhappy that chemists, schools and walk-in centres now make the pill available, believing that this should be exclusively the domain of the local GP. Nearly 400 church leaders from across the denominations took part in the survey, alongside more than 750 church members. The survey was conducted online via the website www.premier.org.uk © 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.