RCPCH responds to NSPCC’s corporal punishment data

Rowland, Andrew; Fussey, Elizabeth; Kennedy, Laura

Abstract

The negative health impacts of physical punishment in childhood are well documented, clear and need no further debate. Children who experience physical punishment are more likely to develop poorer mental health and are more likely to experience serious physical assault and abuse. Physical punishment of children harms their health. Evidence also shows that laws which prohibit physical punishment work. 66 states have already passed such laws and physical punishment and other forms of violence against children have reduced.

This most recent data must be a further wakeup call of the need for change within England and Northern Ireland to better protect children living in those countries. Using physical force on a child is not a legitimate, or even effective, form of discipline. It is detrimental to both the child and their relationship with their parent or care giver. I have seen this first hand in my own clinical work where I regularly have conversations with children who report that they have been physically punished; and I know that these experiences are commonplace amongst paediatricians.

As a UK based paediatrician, I think it is wholly wrong that children in England and Northern Ireland have less protection and less protection of their rights than their Scottish and Welsh counterparts. It is time to outlaw physical punishment across the whole of the UK and finally put an end to this outdated practice. This is nothing short of what children need; what children deserve; and, frankly, what children are entitled to.

Citation

Rowland, A., Fussey, E., & Kennedy, L. (2024). RCPCH responds to NSPCC’s corporal punishment data. [Online]. London

• Other Type: Newspaper Article
• Online Publication Date: Aug 21, 2024
• Publication Date: Aug 21, 2024
• Deposit Date: Sep 1, 2024
• Keywords: Child abuse; physical punishment; corporal punishment; smacking; equal protection
• Additional Information: Available free to access from:; https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/rcpch-responds-nspccs-corporal-punishment-data