UK's Children's Commissioners Call for Nationwide Smacking Ban After Sara Sharif's Murder

Following the murder of ten-year-old Sara Sharif by her father and stepmother, the UK's four children's commissioners have united to call for a complete ban on smacking across England and Northern Ireland, where a legal defence of 'reasonable punishment' still exists. They describe the current legal framework as 'outdated and morally repugnant,' arguing that all children should be granted the same protection from physical punishment as those in Wales and Scotland, where smacking is already banned. The commissioners emphasized that removing the legal defence would not risk criminalizing 'loving, well-meaning' parents, referencing evidence from Scotland and Wales. The calls for reform are being highlighted as the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill returns to Parliament. Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England, stressed that Sara Sharif's legacy should be stronger legal protection for all children, noting that no degree of violence should ever be acceptable in a child’s life. Campaigners and officials argue that the current law fails to protect children and must be amended to prevent further tragedies.