Physical abuse

Document

Our campaign to give every child in the UK equal protection from assault

Children in England and Northern Ireland are the only people in the UK not full protected in law from assault. Learn about our campaign to remove the 'reasonable punishment' defence from law in England and Northern Ireland to give every child in the UK equal protection from assault.

Child protection

Physical abuse

Public affairs and campaigning

News

RCPCH responds to NSPCC’s corporal punishment data

21 August 2024

New data from the NSPCC shows that contacts to their Helpline about children being physically punished have tripled in the last year.

News

Paediatricians call for an end to unjust and dangerous smacking laws

17 April 2024

Children’s doctors in England and Northern Ireland are calling for equal protection for children and young people against physical assault, such as smacking, hitting, and slapping.

Resource

Equal protection from assault in England and Northern Ireland: Prohibiting physical punishment of all children

In England and Northern Ireland, children are the only group of people not fully protected in law from physical assault. Our recommendations demonstrate to Government policymakers both the practicalities of removing the 'reasonable punishment defence’ from law and the appropriate next steps to reduc...

Safeguarding

Child protection

Physical abuse

Public affairs and campaigning

News

RCPCH responds to the Home Office’s announcement on Mandatory Reporting of child sexual abuse

22 February 2024

The Home Office has announced that the Government intends to introduce mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse in England and Wales.

News

RCPCH responds to EHRC report ‘Children’s rights in Great Britain’

25 January 2023

Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report to the United Nations raises a number of concerns on the health, wellbeing and living standards of children in England and Wales.

News

RCPCH responds to recent headlines on smacking

25 April 2022

The Children's Commissioner for England has said she supports a ban on smacking children in England. Wales recently became the second nation in the UK to ban smacking with the move enshrined in law in March. Scotland implemented a ban in November 2020.

News

New guidance on perplexing presentations and fabricated or induced illness in children

2 March 2021

The RCPCH has today launched new guidance for paediatricians on Perplexing Presentations (PP), Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) in Children. This updates the College’s 2009 guidance and aims to support paediatricians when involved with these sometimes very difficult cases.

Resource

Imaging in cases of suspected physical abuse in children - online learning

When managing children who have experienced suspected physical abuse, producing high quality images is crucial in enabling effective investigation of these complex cases.

Resource

Safeguarding children and young people - roles and competencies

To protect children and young people from harm, and help improve their wellbeing, all healthcare staff must have the competencies to recognise child maltreatment, opportunities to improve childhood wellbeing and to take effective action as appropriate to their role.

Looked after children