About the new smacking ban Law
From the 24th April 2020 Jersey’s new smacking ban law was enforced after approval by the States Assembly.
About the smacking law
Jersey is the first place in the British Isles to introduce a new smacking ban law. Children now have the same protection in law as adults from assault including:
- hitting
- smacking
- slapping
The new law puts children first and prevents parents, carers or legal guardians using any corporal punishment towards children and young people.
The law:
- puts the rights of the child first and gives children the same protection from assault as adults
- protects the rights of children in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which states that physical punishment is not effective and can be harmful
- it will be unlawful to use physical punishment as a means of parenting your child and anyone who does could face prosecution
Why smacking is banned
Smacking a child is banned for the following reasons:
- smacking can be dangerous and harmful
- smacking sets children the wrong example
- smacking has negative effects which last long after the physical pain dies away
- smacking is not an effective way to teach children discipline
To find out more on the new law and support available click here
