Citation

Lansdown G. Child Abuse Rev. 2000; 9(6): 416-426.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/1099-0852(200011/12)9:6<416::AID-CAR660>3.0.CO;2-P

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Our understanding of domestic violence has traditionally excluded children. A different, and softer language is employed to describe our use of violence towards children in order to render it more acceptable. The powerful support among the general public and politicians for the retention of the current legislation which permits parents to use reasonable chastisement when disciplining their children is informed by a prevailing view that physical punishment of children is not violence, is used sparingly, with love and as a necessary form of discipline of last resort. The evidence shows otherwise. The incidence of the use of severe punishment against small children is high. Children themselves report that ‘smacking’ is really hitting and causes significant pain. UK legislation violates the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that it also breaches Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. A significant body of research highlights the harm associated with physical punishment. The Government is now required by the European Court ruling to amend the law. It should do so by ending the legitimacy of hitting children and giving them the same protection from assault as adults. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.