The Government have officially introduced a ban on slapping children.
The new legislation was signed by the Minister for Children Dr James Reilly at Midnight this morning. The new laws now means that the defence of reasonable chastisement in cases where a person uses corporal punishment against a child will not be a reasonable defence in court. The new law was introduced after a number of human rights groups campaigned for the government to change the current legislation.
The news was welcomed by Independent Senator Jillian Van Turhout who said there should never be a place for violence against children. “This law will ensure children are equal rights holders before the law.” “We shouldn’t be discussing when and if it’s ok to hit a child – it is never acceptable to hit a child.”