Rightly, the Department for Education and Skills recently defended the legal protection of children from corporal punishment in schools. Meanwhile, absurdly, childminders are allowed to hit children with written parental permission - but only in England.
In November, the Government portrayed its inaction to protect children as 'common sense' by refusing to do away with the archaic legal defence of 'reasonable chastisement' in England and Wales. However, in the Government's own words, 'nearly all' the professional child protection organisations which submitted evidence to the consultation supported changing the law to protect children from being hit, just as adults are protected.
Thankfully, the Scottish Executive had the good sense to realise that there is no real public appetite for beating babies and toddlers. Last month it unveiled its criminal justice White Paper, which includes proposals to protect under-threes from being hit and to ban hitting with implements such as canes and belts for all children.
This is a big step forward, but why only in Scotland? At the same time, crucial action to stop violence against women in the home is vocally supported by ministers. But the same Government thinks that it is 'common sense' for the law to say that children can be hit in the home.
The Government must now rethink its policy on the physical punishment of children in all settings where they are vulnerable and in all parts of the UK. Equality, consistency and child protection must be the watchwords.
Baroness Walmsley, c/o National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
