News

| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(2)
GREG POPE.
GREG POPE.

MP backs ban on slapping children

Anne Richardson
29/ 9/2005

HYNDBURN'S MP Greg Pope is calling on the Government to ban slapping.

Mr Pope has joined forces with other Labour MPs to back a campaign to modernise the law to give children the full legal protection from assault that adults have, an issue he says he feels very strongly about.

Mr Pope said: "I would like to see it made an offence to hit a child - full stop. All adults in this country have protection from assault under the law.

"But children, who by their very nature cannot defend themselves, do not have this protection. It seems to be a crazy state of affairs.

"For Labour's 'Respect' agenda to work, we must set a clear standard for non-violent parenting because we know that hitting children is a lesson in bad behaviour that can be recycled.

"Recognising children's human right to the same legal protection from assault that the rest of us take for granted would be a big step towards a more respectful and less violent society."

The Children Are Unbeatable! Alliance prepared a statement, which was signed by many key figures in the party, including Lord Kinnock, Lord Bragg, Glenys Kinnock MEP and Baroness Helena Whittaker QC, and read at the Labour Party Conference.

A spokesman said: "We urge the Labour Government to modernise the law to give children the full protection from assault that the rest of society takes for granted.

"In this third term, Labour should be a champion of such a fundamental issue of equality and human rights. Hitting children, who are smaller and more fragile, is at least as wrong as hitting anyone else.

"Equal protection for children is the progressive and just way forward."


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(2)


Most recent 2 of 2 user comments

   It's not up to the government at all how parents punish their children;sometimes a slap helps when the child cannot be reasoned with or told off easily.
Anthony, Accrington Lancashire
18/10/2005 at 10:35
   NEVER READ SO MUCH CLAPTRAP IN MY LIFE ! MY DEAR MOTHER USED TO GIVE ME A CLIP ROUND MY EARHOLE ON A REGULAR BASIS COS I NEEDED A SHORT SHOCK TO BRING DOWN ,ALSO MY TEACHER,S AT SCHOOL DID THE SAME ,I WAS A REBEL IN MY YOUNGER DAY,S BUT WAS SOON TAUGHT I COULD NOT WIN THANK GOD , I TREATED MY 3 KIDS THE SAME, NOW THEY ALL HAVE THERE OWN HOME,S ,GOOD JOB,S AND ARE HAPPILY MARRIED ,I HAVE 4 BEAUTIFUL GRANDKID,S WHO HAVE RESPECT FOR THERE ELDER,S GOOD MANNER,S ,AND HELP THERE MOTHER,S ROUND THE HOUSE ,WASHING THE POT,S ETC ,I LOOK AT OTHER PEOPLES KID,S AND I REALY DESPAIR ,I,VE ALWAY,S BELIEVED IN THE OLD SAYING "SPARE THE ROD AND SPOIL THE CHILD".
COLIN HOWARD, BURIRAM THAILAND
18/10/2005 at 04:58
Have your say
 
Have your say Got an opinion you want to share?
Register now and have your comments heard.

Register now

Latest stories
 

 
University
 

Is it feasible for Accrington to become a university town?

Yes
56%
No
44%

Poll has now ended

Personal Finance
 

Customers with a 'good' credit profile
Company Typical APR
Platinum Exclusive Loan 7.8%
Halifax (Semi-exclusive) 8.6%
Bank of Scotland (Semi-exclusive) 8.6%
Alliance & Leicester 8.7%
Lloyds TSB 8.9%
HASH(0x2abf1d3bf120)
Provider AER*
ICICI BANK
HiSAVE Savings Account 		5.50%
PRINCIPALITY BS
e-SAVER 		5.35%
ANGLO IRISH BANK
Easy Access Account Issue 2 		5.25%
FIRST DIRECT
Everyday e-Saver 		2.75%
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER
Online Tracker 		4.75%
BRADFORD & BINGLEY
eSavings 6 		4.60%
SAINSBURYS FINANCE
Internet Saver 		4.00%
ALLIANCE & LEICESTER
eSaver - Issue 2 		5.00%
POST OFFICE
Instant Saver 		3.75%
Fees may apply