The British government faced growing pressure today to ban the smacking of children after two parliamentary reports said existing laws could be used as a cover for abuse.
The reports called for an end to the "reasonable chastisement" defence which, they said, was often used in court to defend violence against children.
But the recommendations have been criticised by opposition politicians and parental rights groups as an "outrageous intrusion" into family life.
The reports come in the wake of the violent death of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie at the hands of her great aunt in February 2000. The case sparked national outrage and led to a number of inquiries aimed at preventing such a tragedy.
Mr David Hinchcliffe, chairman of the health select committee, which compiled one of the reports published today, said children would continue to suffer through abuse unless an outright ban on smacking was put in place.
About 80 children a year die from physical abuse in England, which in many cases started with little slaps aimed at discipline, he said.
"Sweden, which has outlawed smacking, has had no deaths at all over the last 10 years at the hands of parents or carers".
The second report, released today by the joint committee on human rights, said a government decision to allow smacking went against the United Nations convention on children's rights.
But Mr Robert Whelan, director of pressure group Family and Youth Concern, said banning smacking effectively "criminalised" parents.
"I think it is grotesque the way in which the Victoria Climbie tragedy is being used to try to criminalise parents," he told the BBC.
"All parents understand the difference between a light smack, given as a means of discipline in the context of a loving and supportive relationship, and abuse".
His remarks were backed up by opposition health spokesman Dr Liam Fox who called it an "outrageous intrusion by the state into parents' legitimate rights and duties".