Parents in Northern Ireland who physically punish their children face being taken before the courts, it was revealed today.
Children in the province are to be given the same protection from being hit by their parents or guardian as those in England and Wales, the British government has decided.
Following a review of the law on the physical punishment of children in the home, Secretary of State Peter Hain has decided to extend the key Section 58 of the Children Act 2004 to the province.
The section, which came into force in England and Wales in January, updates the law on physical punishment of children by making it an offence to hit a child if it results in lasting harm or marks.
It also restricts a parent's defence in law of "reasonable chastisement" to the charge of common assault.
Minister for Children and Young People, Lord Rooker, welcomed the decision.
"It did not seem right that children in Northern Ireland would have one law applied to them, while quite a different law applied elsewhere in the UK.
"That is why the government has moved quickly to put that right," he said.
The minister said he recognised it was a sensitive issue for many parents - a fact borne out by the differing views expressed during the consultation process in the province.
PA