Well if the abuse in the country is that bad then something should be done.... but like you said.... passing an anti smacking law is not going to stop the child abusers. there is a big difference between a smack on the butt and abuse IMO. It's just going to stop parents who give the occassional smack for very wrong doings from disciplining their children OR have them arrested when they really don't deserve that. chances are most of the child abusers aren't out in public beating the snot out of their children. that is the major problem I see with this law. it's not going to stop anything except for those who use the smack responsibly. IMO. I say they give Abusers harsher punishments. Guaranteed jail time. I know around here child services basically has to witness the child abuse before anythign is actually done about it and sometimes even when they do they recommend counselling and other crap. PUT THE ABUSERS IN JAIL ... period. and I think abusers (when caught and sent to jail) should be sterilized no more kids for them.