Canberra woman sentenced to 200 hours community service for 'smacking' daughter
A Canberra woman has been sentenced by the ACT Magistrates Court to serve 200 hours community service for ‘smacking’ her seven-year-old daughter in 2016.
The child had reportedly rang triple-0 three times in December of that year, telling police that her mother had hit her repeatedly, once on the shoulder and twice on the back when she had come out of her room to go to the toilet.
According to reports, the court was told the woman had argued with police when they had arrived on the scene, contending that she was entitled to discipline her child.
"I can smack my f***ing kids if I want to," she told police.
"I can smack my kids as long as the mark doesn't last 24 hours."
The girl reportedly now lives with her grandparents. The following victim impact statement, which was read to the court, outlines the severity of the situation.
"I am scared of her, I never want to go back," the statement read.
"I am happy now… and scared of mum and dad's (home)."
The mother’s lawyer countered the argument, saying it was a case of chastisement gone too far and that she had worked on improving her parenting since the incident.
But Magistrate Bernadette Boss, who is representing the child, hit back saying the incident in question warranted a swift response from the court.
"This was a significant assault on a child," she said.
"It was a very significant breach of trust.
"Children are the most vulnerable part of our community and everyone has a responsibility to protect children."
Addressing the woman directly, she added.
"It's deeply troubling you thought you had a right to assault your child," she said.
"It's deeply troubling you thought you could do it so that the marks only lasted 24 hours."
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