Smacking children “is physical assault & should be banned” – George 

West Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly MP, Andrew George, is calling on the government to ban the smacking of children. He joined constituent and abuse survivor, Caroline Eshghi, who’s campaign he’s been supporting at an NSPCC and Barnardo’s meeting in Parliament this week. The charities are leading an initiative supported by 300 leading experts including from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, The Children’s Society, The Fostering Network, the Care Leavers’ Alliance, the Association of Educational Psychologists to end any physical punishment of children. 

Mr George said: 

“Most people are shocked to learn that physically assaulting a child is still lawful in this country. I met survivor of historic sustained abuse, Caroline Eshghi (pictured), in Parliament this week. We’re joining forces to back the campaign to ban smacking.  

“Caroline – a constituent who has demonstrated outstanding strength of character to sustain herself through extensive investigative, legal, court procedures to see her perpetrator convicted and imprisoned – is an NSPCC Ambassador. 

“A ban on smacking would bring England and Cornwall into line with Scotland, Wales, Ireland, South Korea and many other countries and ensure we comply with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.  

“I know we’ll of course receive the usual “it didn’t do me any harm”, “parents know best”, “a ban will lead to a generation of unruly teenagers”, assertions, and criticisms from the self-styled “anti-woke” brigade.  

“But, they won’t say: when it should stop; acknowledge what it can lead to (including horrific abuse and child & baby death); recognise it adds to wider acceptance of violence in our society; nor that it actually contributes to a more unruly and alienated generation of young people.” 

Andrew has been supporting Caroline in her campaign, which has received national media attention. Andrew has already raised the matter with Justice Ministers, the Victims’ Commissioner and the Children’s Commissioner, and will meet with them later this autumn.