The Archbishop of Wales is supporting the Children Commissioner for Wales call today to make smacking illegal in Wales.

They are marking Universal Children’s Day by urging Wales to lead the way in the field of children’s rights and become the first nation in the UK to remove the legal defence of ‘reasonable punishment’ against children. They say this would provide children with the same protection as adults in the eyes of the law. No legal defence exists for hitting another adult.

The Commissioner, Dr Sally Holland, says, “Universal Children’s Day provides an opportunity to reflect on Wales’ strengths and weaknesses of how we uphold children’s rights. The fact that we allow vulnerable children to be smacked undermines Wales’ commitment to children’s rights. This is a matter of equality, of rights and building on our culture of respecting the place of children in Welsh society.”

The Archbishop, Dr Barry Morgan, says, “Today more than ever before we need to stand up against violence in our society and teach our children a better way of life. Legislation to remove the defence of ‘reasonable punishment’ is crucial because it reflects the compassionate, non-violent society we want for all children. Physical punishment of children has for too long been a common part of our culture - children should not have to wait for public opinion to change, or for the delivery of better services to families. While the law sends the message that it is defensible to hit a child, children will continue to be hit. And in ‘at risk’ families, children may be exposed to severe assaults in the name of discipline.

“So just as it unacceptable to hit another adult so it should be unacceptable to smack a child - more so, in fact, because a child is more vulnerable. That does not mean that anything goes as far as bringing up children is concerned – but it does rule out physical punishment. We all have a responsibility for ending the legal and cultural acceptance of this most common form of violence against children.”

The Church in Wales has worked with the Churches’ Network for Non-Violence to organise services and vigils in churches over the past few years to highlight the campaign and to pray for children affected by violence. In February the Archbishop and the Children’s Commissioner supported an amendment to the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill to remove the defence of “reasonable punishment” against children. The amendment was lost by 36 votes to 16 with the Welsh government opposing the measure.

In 2011, Welsh Assembly Members voted in principle to remove the defence of “reasonable chastisement” but didn’t have the power at the time to make smacking unlawful. Meanwhile, Ireland became the 47th country to ban corporal punishment, or smacking, earlier this month.

Dr Holland adds, “We need to promote a culture of positive parenting in Wales, because we know that smacking is ineffective and leads to poorer outcomes for children. Some argue that we should educate rather than change the law, however the evidence from other countries tells us that we need both. Any attempt to promote positive parenting is undermined by the current position in law.

“This is about educating and changing culture - not about criminalising parents. None of the countries that have introduced the ban have seen big levels of prosecution of parents and in every country, levels of smacking have declined substantially.

“Retaining a legal right to hit our children undermines any claim to be a nation that cherishes our children and gives them rights in society. Wales can do it and should do it.”