Detailed results and an overview of the methodology for estimating the number of police recorded cases of physical punishment against children, relating to The Children (Wales) Act 2020.
This is the latest release in the series: Monitoring data for The Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020
The Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) Wales Act 2020 (‘the Act’) came into force on 21 March 2022. The Act abolished the common law defence of ‘reasonable punishment’ previously available to parents and those acting in ’loco-parentis’ as a defence to charges of assault or battery against a child.
The 3-year post implementation review (Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020: evidence and data synthesis) was published on 16 December 2025. The synthesis draws on a diverse range of data and research sources, including data from Police Forces in Wales, where available.
This report supplements the high-level estimates of cases of physical punishment against children published in the 3-year post-implementation review of the Act. It also provides a high-level description of the methodology used.
Reports
Report , file type: PDF, file size: 334 KB
Contact
Children and Families Research team
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg / We welcome correspondence in Welsh.
Media
0300 025 8099
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau yn Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.