Summary
In Wales, a ban on smacking children has been in place since March 2022, with data showing that no one has been convicted for assaulting a child since the ban. Instead, many parents have attended out-of-court parenting courses. The ban aims to protect children's rights and focus on educating parents rather than punishing them.
Key Facts
- The smacking ban in Wales started in March 2022.
- No one has been convicted for smacking children since the ban began.
- 365 parents were referred to parenting courses instead of facing prosecution.
- 310 parents completed the course, with 265 reporting positive results.
- In Wales, physical punishment cases increased to 6,200 after the ban, up from 3,900.
- Corporal punishment is illegal in Scotland and Wales but not in England and Northern Ireland.
- Leading child doctors and charities have called for a similar ban in England and Northern Ireland.
- Wales' Social Justice Cabinet Secretary highlighted the ban as a source of pride.
