News

ConCourt says spanking your child at home is illegal

Posted on by Hope To Heal

Wednesday 18 September 2019 – 10:13am

File: A 2016 bill condemning physical punishment of children was struck down by the Constitutional Council.
File: A 2016 bill condemning physical punishment of children was struck down by the Constitutional Council.

JOHANNESBURG – The Constitutional Court has ruled that it is illegal for parents to smack their children in their homes. 

The court has upheld the South Gauteng High Court’s 2017 ruling against corporal punishment in the home.

The high court struck down the defence of reasonable chastisement, saying physical discipline violates children’s rights.

Freedom of Religion South Africa challenged the ruling, saying while it does not promote abuse, parents should have the right to raise their children according to their religious beliefs.

The Constitutional Court prohibited corporal punishment in detention in 1995 and in schools in 2000.

The ruling against corporal punishment in the home was unanimous.

Hope To Heal

Our mission is for women and children to live free from violence and abuse and to provide quality, compassionate, and nonjudgmental services in a manner that fosters self-respect and independence in persons experiencing domestic violence and child abuse and to lead the struggle to end domestic violence through advocacy and community education.