Welsh Assembly votes to outlaw corporal punishment of children

Date: 12th February 2020
Category: Equal protection from violence, Family Environment and Alternative Care, Parental responsibilities, Protection from abuse or neglect

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On 28 January 2020, Members of the National Assembly for Wales voted 36 to 14 to approve the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill.

This Bill proposes to abolish the common law defence of reasonable punishment for any parent (or any adult acting in a parental capacity) accused of assault or battery against a child. The new law will come into force in 2022. The Welsh Government has committed to conduct an extensive awareness campaign before the law comes into force, to ensure parents know and understand the changes.

By passing the Bill, Wales joins Scotland in being the first UK countries to ban corporal punishment of children.

• Read more about the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill.
• Read more about the ban on corporal punishment of children in Scotland.