Anti-smacking campaign launch

Campaign calls for alternative discipline of children

A campaign to discourage parents from physically punishing their children will be launched in Northern Ireland on Wednesday.

The move comes as part of the NSPCC's Northern Ireland Children's Day.

The campaign is being brought to the assembly at Stormont to lobby politicians to introduce legislation on smacking.

The NSPCC initiative is being backed by a number of prominent female assembly members, including Women's Coalition founder member Monica McWilliams.

It will include a public education campaign with powerful billboard posters in the style of children's books and radio advertisements.

Monica McWilliams backing campaign

The campaign slogan is: "Hitting children must stop. FULL STOP. It's simple enough for a child to understand."

The NSPCC said its research showed most parents felt bad and apologetic after smacking their children.

The MORI survey last month included a representative sample of adults in Northern Ireland.

'Frustation'

NSPCC Northern Ireland director Ian Elliott said: "Our research shows that a majority of parents do not believe that punishing children by hitting them is the right thing to do.

"Unfortunately many parents are still hitting, mainly lashing out in anger or frustration, which is the worst time to do it."

Mr Elliott said the Stormont executive must work to make smacking a thing of the past.

"This must be underpinned by changing the law to protect children from being hit, not to land ordinary parents in the courts, but to drive forward changes in attitudes."

A new 28-page booklet entitled Encouraging Better Behaviour: A Practical Guide to Positive Parenting, is being distributed through all Tesco stores in the province.