Against Child Abuse calls for a total ban on corporal punishment of children

Following the recent incident involving a video of corporal punishment in a school playground, Against Child Abuse expresses deep concern and urges again the legislation of full prohibition of corporal punishment of children.

Corporal punishment is a form of violence. Many child abuse cases begin with corporal punishment, which often escalates unnoticed and eventually ending in physical abuse.

Current HK legislation prohibiting corporal punishment:

-          1976: The government enacted “Child Care Service Regulations” stating that no person shall

administer corporal punishment on children in child care centres.

-          1990: Hong Kong abolished corporal punishment as a criminal penalty and ceased to impose caning (whipping) on offenders.

-          1991 September: The government amended “Education Regulations” to ban corporal punishment on students in schools.

Against Child Abuse recommends:

1.       Legislation for a total ban on corporal punishment of children

In line with and upholding the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, children should enjoy basic human rights and grow up in an environment free of fear and violence. Against Child Abuse urges the government to legislate for a total ban on corporal punishment, including in the home. At present, 70 countries or states around the world have enacted legislation to completely prohibit corporal punishment of children. (Reference: https://www.aca.org.hk/image/catalog/press_release/Spank-Out-Day_Protecting-Childrens-Growth-Carnival-2026_en.pdf)

Legislation not only sets a 'zero tolerance' for violence, but also plays an educational role in making the public aware that corporal punishment is an unacceptable form of discipline in society.

2.       Recognise the psychological harm caused by corporal punishment

Corporal punishment is not just physical harm—it can also constitute psychological harm. Psychological abuse refers to a repeated pattern of behaviour and/or an interaction between carer and child, or an extreme incident that endangers or impairs the child’s physical and psychological health (including emotional, cognitive, social, and physical development).

Verbal chastisement, humiliation, and intimidation in corporal punishment are commonly seen in psychological abuse. They can have lasting effects on a child’s emotions, behaviour, learning, and self-worth. When such incidents occur in public, it can cause even more severe psychological harm to the child. The traumatic consequences must not be overlooked; immediate intervention and professional support are essential.

3.       Promoting Positive Discipline

Parents, caregivers, and professionals working with children and youth should equip themselves with appropriate, positive, and non-violent discipline knowledge and skills at the earliest opportunity. Doing so can effectively reduce incidents of corporal punishment and child abuse. ACA calls on the government to invest additional resources to promote non-violent discipline in families and communities, and to ensure assistance is rendered timely.

ACA strives to provide various preventive and remedial services, parent and community education activities, and also provides a parent-child support hotline: 2755 1122 for inquiries, the seeking of assistance or reporting of suspected child base cases.

Together, let us protect children and ensure they grow up in a safe, respectful, and violence‑free environment.

#AgainstChildAbuse #EndCorporalPunishment #PositiveDiscipline #PsychologicalAbuse #ChildProtection #NoViolence