Review of section 58 of the Children's Act 2004

Section 58 of the Children Act 2004 limited the use of the defence of reasonable punishment so that it could no longer be used when people are charged with offences against a child, such as causing actual bodily harm or cruelty to a child. This report sets out the findings of a review into the practical consequences of this rule and parental views on smacking. Findings based on this evidence include that section 58 has improved legal protection for children by restricting the use of the reasonable punishment defence in court proceedings, with no reported significant practical problems with its operation. Parental attitudes and behaviour is changing, with younger parents less likely to use smacking as a method of discipline than older parents.