In a letter to the Senate legal and constitutional affairs committee, Roebuck called on Parliament to repeal Section 43 of the Criminal Code, a clause enacted in 1892 that permits parents, teachers, and guardians to use “reasonable force” to discipline children.

“Even punishment that does not leave a physical mark such as spanking can significantly harm a child’s brain development,” Roebuck wrote, per Blacklocks. “The act may expose or threaten a child, which can have similar impacts on the brain as severe maltreatment.”

Roebuck emphasized the long-term effects of corporal punishment on children’s well-being.

“Potential harm inflicted by corporal punishment extends beyond immediate physical effects, impacting children’s psychological and cognitive developments,” he argued. “This contradicts the core principles of children’s rights.”