Jenni Murray calls for smacking children to be made illegal after admitting she 'burns with shame' over how she disciplined her two boys
Jenni Murray has called for smacking children to be made illegal after she admitted she 'burns with shame' over how she disciplined her two boys.
The 74-year-old broadcaster claimed although hitting children isn't seen as child abuse - it is domestic violence and must be stopped.
Writing in Saga magazine, she said: 'If only the governments of England and Northern Ireland would have the common sense to follow where Scotland and Wales have led and make it illegal to smack a child.
'Where smacking remains permissible for parents the rules are appallingly unclear.
'What does it actually mean to say 'reasonable punishment' is okay? What is reasonable punishment?'
![Jenni Murray, 74, claimed although hitting children isn't seen as child abuse - it is domestic violence and must be stopped](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/21/16/85156593-13443253-image-a-23_1716305647180.jpg)
Jenni Murray, 74, claimed although hitting children isn't seen as child abuse - it is domestic violence and must be stopped
![Jenni admitted she 'burns with shame' over how she disciplined her two boys. (Stock Image)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/21/16/85156619-13443253-image-a-24_1716305657028.jpg)
Jenni admitted she 'burns with shame' over how she disciplined her two boys. (Stock Image)
Jenni pointed out different parents will have 'different views' about how to differentiate between 'child abuse and reasonable punishment'.
'In 2024, we've reached a time of sensitive humanity where everyone has rights,' she added.
'Well, everyone apart from the smallest, weakest members of our society - children.'
Retorting to those who say physical discipline does children 'no harm', she said: 'I know from personal experience that this is not true.'
Jenni explained how her mother was a 'strict disciplinarian' and would have a 'stinging slap' delivered to her 'bare buttocks' if she misbehaved as a youngster.
'I gained no benefit from these violent outbursts,' she said.
'I felt bitter and angry and a relationship that might have been close was marred by my resentment - I feel it to this day.'
In April 2020, Jersey became the first Channel Island to ban hitting, smacking or slapping children under any circumstances. Scotland then followed suit in November - becoming the first UK nation to ban it - and Wales in 2022.
![Jenni pointed out different parents will have 'different views' about how to differentiate between 'child abuse and reasonable punishment'. Pictured: A young child holding an anti-smacking placard](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/21/16/23997220-13443253-A_young_child_holds_an_anti_smacking_placard_Assembly_Members_vo-a-25_1716305843476.jpg)
Jenni pointed out different parents will have 'different views' about how to differentiate between 'child abuse and reasonable punishment'. Pictured: A young child holding an anti-smacking placard
However, in England and Northern Ireland it is currently legal for a parent or carer to use physical discipline on their child if it is a 'reasonable punishment' under the Children Act 2004, according to Child Law Advice.
She previously shared how she was disciplined at her convent school and how a ruler was used as a method of punishment later on in her education.
Looking back on her own parenting when writing in Saga, she said how she now saw how her techniques 'echoed' those of her mother.
'I burn with shame now I look back on how stupid I was,' she said.
'Too few people seem to have cottoned on to the idea smacking a child may not be seen as child abuse, but it is domestic violence.
'Yet still I witness it happening so often in the street, on a bus and in a supermarket.
'If I am smacked or hit there is a law to protect me. Adults have the right not to suffer domestic violence, protected by the law.
'Children have rights and the law should protect them too.
'If not, this vague idea of reasonable punishment will continue, children will be hit, they'll grow up thinking it's okay to his their children and on the violence will go from generation to generation.
'It must stop - smacking must be banned.'