Menu
03/03/2009
Bid To Ban Smacking May Go To Lords
Despire a failed bid to brand parents who smack their children as 'abusers', a local childrens' advocate is set to appeal to the Lords.
Northern Ireland's Children's Commissioner Patricia Lewsley, who 10 days ago lost a court appeal to ban parents from smacking their children, said that she would not give up in her attempts to ban smacking - despite thousands of pounds in legal costs to date.
The former SDLP politician confirmed today that she would like to appeal to the House of Lords.
Asked whether she made any distinction between physical abuse where someone deliberately set out to harm a child, and a loving parent smacking their child she told the Belfast News Letter: "Children have told us that hitting is humiliating. Even though they would say their parents are loving and caring, it is still humiliating."
Ms Lewsley stressed that the smacking case was not the totality of her work and that she was engaged in a series of other schemes to help children.
However, Ms Lewsley said that she would be meeting her legal advisors "shortly" to decide on whether to pursue an appeal to the House of Lords.
She said that if the legal advice was that it was both within her budget and had a reasonable chance of success, she would like to pursue the case.
However, Ms Lewsley said that the legal challenge was only one route towards outlawing smacking and said that she did not want to criminalise parents.
Ms Lewsley said that "it's about positive parenting strategies" and reiterated that she "didn't want to see parents dragged through the courts".
Instead, she said they should stop smacking their children as has happened in schools.
The childrens' champion has also denied News Letter reports that the legal challenges have cost around £200,000.
"We don't have a final cost but our estimate is we will have spent around £74,000 over three years," she told the BBC today.
(BMcC/JM)
Northern Ireland's Children's Commissioner Patricia Lewsley, who 10 days ago lost a court appeal to ban parents from smacking their children, said that she would not give up in her attempts to ban smacking - despite thousands of pounds in legal costs to date.
The former SDLP politician confirmed today that she would like to appeal to the House of Lords.
Asked whether she made any distinction between physical abuse where someone deliberately set out to harm a child, and a loving parent smacking their child she told the Belfast News Letter: "Children have told us that hitting is humiliating. Even though they would say their parents are loving and caring, it is still humiliating."
Ms Lewsley stressed that the smacking case was not the totality of her work and that she was engaged in a series of other schemes to help children.
However, Ms Lewsley said that she would be meeting her legal advisors "shortly" to decide on whether to pursue an appeal to the House of Lords.
She said that if the legal advice was that it was both within her budget and had a reasonable chance of success, she would like to pursue the case.
However, Ms Lewsley said that the legal challenge was only one route towards outlawing smacking and said that she did not want to criminalise parents.
Ms Lewsley said that "it's about positive parenting strategies" and reiterated that she "didn't want to see parents dragged through the courts".
Instead, she said they should stop smacking their children as has happened in schools.
The childrens' champion has also denied News Letter reports that the legal challenges have cost around £200,000.
"We don't have a final cost but our estimate is we will have spent around £74,000 over three years," she told the BBC today.
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Belfast's St George's Market Hosts Festive Christmas Twilight Market Get ready for some festive cheer! St George's Market in Belfast is hosting its annual Christmas Twilight Market on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th November from 4pm to 11pm. The market will be transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights and a lively atmosphere.
Other News In Brief
Belfast's St George's Market Hosts Festive Christmas Twilight Market Get ready for some festive cheer! St George's Market in Belfast is hosting its annual Christmas Twilight Market on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th November from 4pm to 11pm. The market will be transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights and a lively atmosphere.
19 November 2024
Justice Minister Announces Additional Funding For Department
Justice Minister Naomi Long has welcomed the allocation of an additional £39.3 million to the Department of Justice following the October Monitoring Round. This funding will be used to address various pressures within the justice system, including those arising from the civil disorder during the summer.
Justice Minister Announces Additional Funding For Department
Justice Minister Naomi Long has welcomed the allocation of an additional £39.3 million to the Department of Justice following the October Monitoring Round. This funding will be used to address various pressures within the justice system, including those arising from the civil disorder during the summer.
21 April 2009
Smacking Court Actions Halted
Costly court action being followed by the NI Children's Commissioner Patricia Lewsley to enforce a ban on smacking children has been formally abandoned.
Smacking Court Actions Halted
Costly court action being followed by the NI Children's Commissioner Patricia Lewsley to enforce a ban on smacking children has been formally abandoned.
01 June 2015
Majority Of Children Placed In Pre-School Of Their Choice
The majority of children, whose parents applied for a pre-school slot during the schools' admission process, have been allocated a place. The Department of Justice said over 23,400 or 99.
Majority Of Children Placed In Pre-School Of Their Choice
The majority of children, whose parents applied for a pre-school slot during the schools' admission process, have been allocated a place. The Department of Justice said over 23,400 or 99.
08 May 2002
NSPCC lobby Assembly on ‘Full Stop’ campaign
The leading children’s charity, the NSPCC has brought their Full Stop campaign to Stormont. The UK-wide campaign, aimed at banning the smacking of children, was brought to the Assembly at Stormont on Wednesday to lobby local politicians to back legislation on smacking.
NSPCC lobby Assembly on ‘Full Stop’ campaign
The leading children’s charity, the NSPCC has brought their Full Stop campaign to Stormont. The UK-wide campaign, aimed at banning the smacking of children, was brought to the Assembly at Stormont on Wednesday to lobby local politicians to back legislation on smacking.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A mostly dry evening and night with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive, especially in the south. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
