retired_jshendel

Most kids deserve it anyway

retired_navy0614

Bring back the cane plzkthx.

2boxers

then you just bring out the S&M freaks at 9 not 19

retired_fabricodalacosta

Pro-smacking here. :thup:

Of course though, there's a huge difference between a smack (tap on the arse) and braying the living daylights out of a kid. The latter is completely unacceptable.

retired_jshendel

Why? Many laws apply differently to kids and adults

michaelwoodcock

then you just bring out the S&M freaks at 9 not 19 </BLOCKQUOTE>

At least Bagpuss will be happy.

Have my own reasons, admittedly not exactly viewed from a neutral stand point, but I feel this is an opportunity missed. Even in the past three years too many parents have had charges dropped or not brought at all because of confusion over this "reasonable force" argument.

retired_justin05

Good. Never did Bert any harm.

Ventil

Well that's the fault of the law being introduced in the first place.
The interference wasn't needed and has now created this situation.

michaelwoodcock

Well that's the fault of the law being introduced in the first place.
The interference wasn't needed and has now created this situation. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Did you know that, pre-change, less than 10% of cases raised with social work departments ever made court, never mind secured a conviction. Most times due to the age old defence of "all I was doing was disciplining my kids." Solicitors used to love cases like this, with no witnesses apart from highly emotional and upset kids, it was a walk in the park. My mum ironed my hand, stabbed me with a carving fork (puncturing a lung), and tried to sever my spine with an electric carving knife. Charges dropped due to insufficient evidence. With no witnesses to the "excessive measures taken" it was the word of two kids against several adults, including family members who stood up to defend their daughter/sister/etc and say she would "never hurt her kids like that".

This law was in place, my dear old mum would have spent years rotting in prison. Instead I have to wait on her liver going. Only consolation is I hear it's a pretty painful way to go.

retired_fabricodalacosta

Gav - I know that you've suffered in the past, so understand your reasoning on this issue. I guess when you were a nipper, social services would be a lot worse than they are today (if that's possible) and if anything, a bury your head in the sand mentality existed back then. Kids are supposed to have more protection these days (and rightly so), but improvements must be made. However, the choice to smack should remain with the parent. As I said earlier, there's a big difference between a tap on the backside and GBH. Even if this change did go through, I think it unlikely it would stop those parents who do torture their kids.