Immigrants should be allowed to hit their children because due to 'different cultural context': UK High Court Judge

London

A High Court judge in the UK yesterday said immigrant parents should be allowed to slap and hit their children as they were new in Britain.

To the outrage of children’s campaigners, Mrs Justice Pauffley suggested police and social services should make allowance for foreigners because of the ‘different cultural context’.

Her remarks came in a legal challenge from an Indian accused of beating his wife and seven-year-old son.

The boy, who requested anonymity for legal reasons, told the court he was hit on the back and leg with a ‘long belt’.

The father denied striking the child with a belt but admitted he would deliver a ‘slap or a tap’ to discipline him.

In her ruling the judge said: ‘I do not believe there was punitively harsh treatment of [the boy] of the kind that would merit the term physical abuse.

‘Proper allowance must be made for what is, almost certainly, a different cultural context. Within many communities newly arrived in this country, children are slapped and hit for misbehaviour in a way which at first excites the interest of child protection professionals.

‘In this instance ... the boy did not appear to have suffered more than sadness and transient pain from what was done to him.’

Reacting to the comments, an NSPCC spokesman said last night: ‘Children need to be protected irrespective of cultural sensitivities. Different practices are no excuse for child abuse taking place in this country and the law doesn’t make that distinction.’

Under the Children’s Act 2004 it is illegal for parents to smack their children if blows cause bruising, swelling or cuts. Guilty parents can be jailed for up to five years. Mrs Justice Pauffley’s comments are controversial because they will revive memories of the sickening case of Victoria Climbie in 2000.