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Hundreds of parents sent for ‘re-education’ after smacking ban was introduced in Wales

Hundreds of parents sent for ‘re-education’ after smacking ban was introduced in Wales
Dawn Bowden
ET staff writer
ET staff writer
13 January, 2026 2 min read

Over 300 parents in Wales have been sent for 're-education' since the introduction of a criminal ban on smacking in 2022.

The data was revealed by the Be Reasonable campaign group, which lobbies for a 'reasonable chastisement' defence for parents.

According to an analysis of official figures, the police have referred 365 parents, who were criminalised for smacking their children, to diversionary 're-education' schemes.

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