The Southland Times reports on the case of a Ranfurly woman who severely beat her seven-year-old son with a soup ladle. She has now pled guilty to assault and has been remanded in custody.
A few years ago she would have been able to claim a defence of "reasonable force" for the purposes of correction - just like the infamous horse-whip lady. That defence might have worked, or it might not - but I for one am glad it is not available. it is never reasonable to hit a child, and those who think it is are just abusive monsters.
