Overview

• The UK’s four Children’s Commissioners have called for the removal of the 'reasonable punishment' defence, labeling it outdated and morally unacceptable.
• The murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif in 2023, during which her father claimed he 'legally punished' her, has reignited demands for a comprehensive smacking ban.
• Polling by the NSPCC shows strong support among safeguarding professionals for ending physical punishment, with 90% of social workers and 77% of healthcare professionals backing legal reform.
• Scotland and Wales have already outlawed all forms of corporal punishment, leaving England and Northern Ireland as outliers within the UK.
• The UK Government is reviewing evidence from Wales and Scotland but has not committed to legislative action at this stage.