Hundreds of parents criminalised under Wales’ smacking ban

Over three hundred parents have been referred for ‘re-education’ as a result of Wales’ smacking ban, it has been revealed.

According to campaign group Be Reasonable’s analysis of official figures, the police has referred 365 parents, who were criminalised for smacking their children, to diversionary ‘re-education’ schemes since the law was introduced in 2022.

Although the report highlighted gaps in existing data, the group warned that the cost of implementing the Act in its first five years could be double the Government’s estimated £7.9 million.

‘High price’

Be Reasonable explained that there has been a “clear rise” in the number of social services contacts and assessments involving smacking since 2022, with a 112 per cent increase in cases where it was the sole factor.

As such, the group estimated that this could cost social services an extra £1.6 million each year.

Be Reasonable spokesman Simon Calvert stated: “The public sector is under enormous pressure, yet thousands of hours and millions of pounds are now being wasted on needless investigations into families where there is nothing wrong.

“This is a high price to pay for legislating political correctness. Social services staff should be free to focus on protecting children who are genuinely at risk.”

Investigations

Mr Calvert emphasised: “We warned that parents would be criminalised under this law. Despite repeated assurances to the contrary, after the ban became law the Government announced that parents suspected of smacking should be reported to the police or social services.

“Just three years on, hundreds of parents have been put through a criminal justice ‘diversionary’ scheme. As part of this process, parents may be required to ‘admit’ to ‘assaulting’ their own child, despite having only done what would previously have been deemed ‘reasonable’.

“This could cost them their job, and their ability to provide for their families.”

In response, the Welsh Government stated that the Act “prioritises helping families – offering tailored parenting support as an alternative to prosecution with the aim of strengthening family relationships. Our three-year post implementation review is set to be published next week.”

‘No evidence’

Last month, a review by The Christian Institute found that it is “impossible” to conclude that reasonable chastisement harms children.

‘Does Smacking Contribute to Negative Outcomes for Children?’ analysed 37 peer-reviewed studies. Despite popular claims that ‘just one smack’ can ‘scar children for life’, the review noted that negative correlations are often small, inconsistent, and may be down to family instability, socio-economic status and pre-existing temperament.

The research raises serious questions about the evidential basis for smacking bans, such as those in Wales and Scotland, and backs investment in parental support, family stability and further research, instead of new legislation.