Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice
Make smacking children illegal
Closed
104 signatures
What the petition asks
Children should have the same protection as adults against physical abuse and punishment. England should follow the same laws as Scotland and Wales in regards to protecting our children.
Physical abuse and punishment has the same negative effects on a child as it does on an adult. Banning smacking by removing the legal defence of Reasonable Chastisement would mean when a child complains about abuse the police would have more powers to protect the children.
Timeline
| 26 Nov 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 26 May 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
104
Status
Closed
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
26 Nov 2020
Closed
26 May 2021
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.