The UK Government has said they won’t consider banning hitting, smacking, or beating children in England until at least 2026. This isn’t good enough.
The Government claims to be waiting for a report from Wales, but there is already overwhelming international evidence that physical punishment harms children and offers no benefits.
We don’t need to wait – we need action now.
Hitting a child is a form of violence. It has been banned in Scotland, Wales, and dozens of other countries worldwide. The evidence is clear: smacking leads to worse outcomes for children, including increased aggression, mental health struggles, and damaged relationships with parents.
Children deserve the same legal protection from violence as adults. Why is England still allowing physical punishment?
We are a community standing up for a UK that respects the rights of children. This is about giving children the same legal protections from violence as adults. Together, we’re calling for an IMMEDIATE ban on the smacking of children in England.
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