Corporal Punishment – legitimate discipline and punishment or legalised abuse?

Corporal punishment in the home, in one form of the other, is legal in every State of Australia. Whilst corporal punishment still appears to be commonly used within our country in practice, studies indicate corporal punishment is increasingly being seen as an unnecessary form of discipline. If cultural attitudes are changing, but the incidence of corporal punishment is still unacceptably high, then what, if anything, do we need to do to bridge that gap?

Show notes:

Linda Savage: https://www.ccyp.wa.gov.au/about-us/the-ambassadors/ms-linda-savage/

Convention on the Rights of the Child: 

Article 19(1) states parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.

The prevalence of corporal punishment in Australia: Findings from a nationally representative survey

Acceptability of corporal punishment and use of different parenting practices across high-income countries

End Physical Punishment of Australian Children (EPPAC) Campaign

Research for this episode was conducted by Vanessa Mocibob.

Best Interests Children’s Law Podcast is sponsored by Ex Curia: Coaching & Consulting Pty Ltd, Meliora Psychology and Claudia Grimberg Lawyers.

Got questions, comments, compliments or something to add
to the discussion? We'd love to hear from you on our website.