Madam, – In Ireland, teachers who administer corporal punishment are liable to be charged with assault under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, whilst parents are immune from such laws and can physically assault and humiliate their children in the name of “reasonable chastisement”. In 2005 the World Organisation Against Torture registered a complaint against Ireland in this respect and the European Committee of Social Rights found our current legislation to be in violation of children’s rights. Our Government’s response was to promise an eventual ban on corporal punishment.
Hitting a child is never in the child’s best interests. Children are entitled to the same protection from physical assaults as adults. While corporal punishment is legal and acceptable, children are deprived of the positive parenting to which they are entitled. I do not believe our Government has kept its promise of promoting and encouraging positive, non-violent parenting. In light of the Ryan report, is this not an opportune time to ensure that children’s right to freedom from violence in the home is secured? – Yours, etc,