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Doctors launch campaign to make smacking children illegal Doctors launch campaign to make smacking children illegal
(2 months later)
A leading group of Australian and New Zealand doctors has launched a campaign to end smacking and other forms of physical punishment as a legal and acceptable means of disciplining children.A leading group of Australian and New Zealand doctors has launched a campaign to end smacking and other forms of physical punishment as a legal and acceptable means of disciplining children.
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), representing 20,000 medical professional trainees, wants Australian legislation amended to outlaw corporal punishment, and for parents to be educated about more effective forms of discipline.The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), representing 20,000 medical professional trainees, wants Australian legislation amended to outlaw corporal punishment, and for parents to be educated about more effective forms of discipline.
Associate Professor Susan Moloney, president of the RACP paediatrics and child health division, launched the RACP's position statement on Friday as well as a brochure of tips for parents on "how to manage your child's behaviour without smacking".Associate Professor Susan Moloney, president of the RACP paediatrics and child health division, launched the RACP's position statement on Friday as well as a brochure of tips for parents on "how to manage your child's behaviour without smacking".
She said better education and law reform could prevent situations where physical discipline escalates to abuse.She said better education and law reform could prevent situations where physical discipline escalates to abuse.
"The child – the most vulnerable and dependent member of our society – is still the only person in Australia it is still legal to hit," Moloney said."The child – the most vulnerable and dependent member of our society – is still the only person in Australia it is still legal to hit," Moloney said.
"Today we are calling on the community to ask: is it acceptable for this to continue? The RACP strongly believes that children should not be subject to physical punishment.""Today we are calling on the community to ask: is it acceptable for this to continue? The RACP strongly believes that children should not be subject to physical punishment."
Currently Australian laws allow forms of physical discipline by parents, sometimes including the caveat "reasonable force" as a limit.Currently Australian laws allow forms of physical discipline by parents, sometimes including the caveat "reasonable force" as a limit.
"We want to do what 33 other countries have done – tighten up the legislation around physical punishment so that it's clear. At the moment it's not clear," said Moloney."We want to do what 33 other countries have done – tighten up the legislation around physical punishment so that it's clear. At the moment it's not clear," said Moloney.
But NSW premier Barry O'Farrell rejected the call for his state, saying it would be too difficult to police.But NSW premier Barry O'Farrell rejected the call for his state, saying it would be too difficult to police.
"Parenting is difficult enough now without people proposing laws that would be impossible to police, and it wouldn't take it any further," he said."Parenting is difficult enough now without people proposing laws that would be impossible to police, and it wouldn't take it any further," he said.
"I think most parents do it bloody well, and we shouldn't be trying to make it any more difficult for them.""I think most parents do it bloody well, and we shouldn't be trying to make it any more difficult for them."
President of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), Associate Professor Tim Hannan, told Guardian Australia child psychologists recognised "the relative ineffectiveness of physical punishment as a means of disciplining children and they are also aware of the body of research noting potential negative consequences of smacking".President of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), Associate Professor Tim Hannan, told Guardian Australia child psychologists recognised "the relative ineffectiveness of physical punishment as a means of disciplining children and they are also aware of the body of research noting potential negative consequences of smacking".
He said the APS agreed with calls for greater community debate around the issue, and that while they did not have a position on legislation amendment it was something that "could be explored".He said the APS agreed with calls for greater community debate around the issue, and that while they did not have a position on legislation amendment it was something that "could be explored".
"Certainly smacking is illegal in a number of countries and that has been shown to have an effect on parents' general views about appropriate ways of teaching children effective control of their own behaviour," he said."Certainly smacking is illegal in a number of countries and that has been shown to have an effect on parents' general views about appropriate ways of teaching children effective control of their own behaviour," he said.
The RACP highlighted research showing the risks of harmful effects on children of physical punishment, including depression, anxiety, and aggressive or antisocial behaviour.The RACP highlighted research showing the risks of harmful effects on children of physical punishment, including depression, anxiety, and aggressive or antisocial behaviour.
"Hitting children is not doing anything for them and we would like parents to understand more effective ways to discipline their children," said Kim Oates, emeritus professor of paediatrics and child health at Sydney University."Hitting children is not doing anything for them and we would like parents to understand more effective ways to discipline their children," said Kim Oates, emeritus professor of paediatrics and child health at Sydney University.
"Quite a number of severe cases of physical abuse started off with a smack and a hit that got out of control.""Quite a number of severe cases of physical abuse started off with a smack and a hit that got out of control."
Oates said the RACP's statement was not about "catching bad parents" but about teaching parents more effective ways of discipline.Oates said the RACP's statement was not about "catching bad parents" but about teaching parents more effective ways of discipline.
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