NCJ Number
195736
Journal
Lay Panel Magazine Volume: 45 Dated: April 2001 Pages: 20-24
Date Published
2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The current law in Northern Ireland allows parents to use the defense of reasonable chastisement if they are prosecuted for assaulting their child; this article advocates and explains current law-reform efforts intended to ensure that children and youth are given the same protection from assault as adults.
Abstract
In Northern Ireland in the 1990's, parents were acquitted when they had beaten their children with riding crops, used belts to discipline their children to the point of severe bruising, and used electrical flex and garden canes against their children. The Children's Law Centre is a member of the Children Are Unbeatable! Alliance, which is lobbying for effective law reform that will give children and youth the same protection from assault as adults. The Office of Law Reform in Northern Ireland will soon issue a consultation document on the use of physical punishment on children. The Children's Law Centre encourages individuals and organizations interested in the welfare of children to become involved in this debate and to respond to the consultation document when it is released. The Centre hopes to see widespread consultation with children and youth in Northern Ireland about the use of physical punishment, so that their views are given due weight in the debate. The Centre also favors having a clear explanation in the consultation document about what a ban on physical punishment would mean in practical terms; parents should be assured of the availability of advice and education regarding the use of positive disciplining methods. It is time that the laws of Northern Ireland reflect Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which states that everyone has the right to protection from inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. 5 footnotes