Call to ban smacking in England and Northern Ireland

At present, if a child is smacked, hit or slapped in England and Northern Ireland, parents may be able to argue that this was "reasonable punishment" and avoid breaking the law.

Child health experts say they want children across the UK to be given the same rights and they are urging all political parties to include a promise to remove the current 'reasonable punishment' defence in their manifestos for the general election.

Yet in England and Northern Ireland, children continue to be exposed to a legal loophole that can undermine their basic right to protection under the guise of 'reasonable chastisement'.

"That's why we're calling on political leaders in England and Northern Ireland to commit to bringing an end to the physical punishment of children - as the rest of the UK have successfully done."

"We are supporting teachers, social workers and all safeguarding professionals to spot the signs of abuse or neglect more quickly," a Department for Education spokesperson said.

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