Wales' proposed smacking ban is one step closer to being put into place. The law is now in a three-month-long public consultation phase, the BBC reports.
Minsters in the Welsh government want to ensure that adults in charge of children can no longer hit the kids in their care.
This new ban would not create a new offence. Instead, it would remove the defence of reasonable punishment from the offences of assault and battery.
Wales would be following in the footsteps of Scotland, who last year became the first part of the UK to outlaw the practice of smacking children.
"As a parent of three boys myself, I know being a parent can sometimes be a challenging experience," Huw Irranca-Davies, Minister for Children and Social Care, told the Guardian, "Children do not come with an instruction manual and sometimes parents need guidance and support to help them raise healthy and happy children."
He emphasised that smacking children has no place in society today.
"Our knowledge of what children need to grow and thrive has developed considerably over the last 20 years. We now know that physical punishment can have negative long-term impacts on a child's life chances and we also know it is an ineffective punishment."
Indeed, a University of Missouri study found that children who experienced severe physical punishment at 15 months tended to exhibit more aggressive and delinquent behaviours - 10 years later.
"If there is any potential risk of harm to a child then it is our obligation as a government to take action. Legislation was introduced many years ago to stop physical punishment in schools and childcare settings – now is the time to ensure it is no longer acceptable anywhere," Huw reiterated.
The consultation phase for the proposed law gives various groups a chance to voice any concerns about the change in legislation. Some campaigners against the ban are worried that ordinary parents will be criminalised if the law comes into effect.
What do you think about the Welsh smacking ban, mums?
