Urgent Call for Equal Protection of Children in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill
We, the undersigned leaders of Public Health, along with our esteemed supporting organisations and charities, are writing to you with an urgent appeal regarding the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. We commend the Bill's intention to strengthen the safeguarding and welfare of children. However, we believe a critical amendment is necessary to truly uphold this intention: the removal of the "reasonable punishment" defence.
The Inconsistency of the Current Law
The "reasonable punishment" defence, an archaic exception to the law of assault, allows for the physical punishment of children. This leaves them with less protection from assault than adults, an unacceptable disparity in our modern society. The evidence is clear: physical punishment is harmful, ineffective, and has no place in a society that values the well-being of its children.
The Harms of Physical Punishment
Decades of research, including a landmark study in The Lancet, demonstrate the detrimental effects of physical punishment. It is linked to increased behavioural problems, mental health issues, and the risk of escalating physical abuse. Moreover, the current law's ambiguity creates challenges for professionals in assessing and responding to potential risks to children.
A Call for Change
We cannot, in good conscience, allow this outdated defence to persist. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill presents a crucial opportunity to rectify this inconsistency and provide children with the same protection from assault as everyone else. We urge you to support the amendment, tabled by Baroness Finlay, to remove the "reasonable punishment" defence.
The Time for Action is Now
Committee Stage of Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill in the Lords is a pivotal moment. We implore you to stand on the side of our children and ensure their fundamental right to safety and protection. By removing this archaic defence, we can send a clear message that violence against children is never acceptable.
We urge you to:
• Publicly declare your support for the removal of the "reasonable punishment" defence
• Engage with fellow parliamentarians to garner their support for this amendment.
• Work to ensure this amendment is included in the final version of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
The health, safety, and well-being of our children depend on our willingness to take decisive action. Let us seize this opportunity to create a society where all children are equally protected from harm.
Sincerely,
• Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
• Faculty of Public Health
• Royal Society of Medicine
• School and Public Health Nurses Association
• Institute of Health Promotion & Education
• Institute of Health Visiting
• Royal Society for Public Health
• British Association for Child & Adolescent Public Health
• Alliance 4 Children
• British Medical Association
• Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Aldey Hey Hospital Charity
• Barnardo’s