Prohibition Of Child Abuse Bill

A bill to prohibit any and all incidents of parental violence against children.

BE IT ENACTED by The Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, in accordance with the provisions of the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

1. Parental discipline shall be no longer be an exception to any law concerning physical violence against children.

2. Any incident of striking (including ‘spanking’) a child under sixteen shall be prosecuted as cruelty to persons under sixteen under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 s1, Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 s12, or Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 s20 depending on jurisdiction.

3. Violence against children in the context of ‘parental discipline’ shall be considered, other circumstances being equal, equivalent to other forms of physical abuse in its inherent harm during sentencing.

4. This bill shall come into effect immediately upon passage.

5. This bill shall extend to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

6. This bill may be cited as the Prohibition of Child Abuse Act.

Source: http://psycnet.apa.org/?&fa=main.doiLanding&doi=10.1037/fam0000191

Submitted by /u/colossalteuthid on behalf of the 11th Government and co-sponsored by the Liberal Democrats.

Amendments should be sent to /u/thatthinginthecorner by 16:30 GMT on 17 December 2016.

Amendments should clearly indicate what is being amended (add, change or remove) and in Reddit format. Amendments not in this form will not be accepted.