Only physical, not psychological, child abuse will be banned by the law on the prevention of domestic violence, after MPs decided to adopt the Senate’s amendments to Poland’s children‘s rights legislation.

In May, the Sejm, the Lower House of the Polish Parliament, passed a bill banning corporal punishment of children, protecting victims of abuse and putting emphasis on the prevention of violence.

Opponents of the bill feared, however, that the state would interfere too much into a family’s autonomy and upbringing of children. Therefore, the Senate, the Upper House of the Parliament, proposed fifteen amendments to the bill and most of them were passed.

The bill empowers social workers to intervene when a child’s life or health is endangered. Such a decision can be taken only together with a police officer and a doctor. Therefore, interdisciplinary teams composed of professionals who deal with child abuse will be formed in each county.

The lesiglation gives parents the right to appeal against the decision to separate them from a child.

The bill also provides better protection for abuse victims by isolating them from perpetrators; introducing free forensic examination for victims and mandatory treatment for abusers.

The amendments do not, however, protect children against psychological abuse and other forms of humiliation.

“The was a compromise which made it possible to obtain a majority in the Sejm and Senate, necessary to pass the bill,” said Civic Platform’s MP Magdalena Kochan.

Now the law will be forwarded to the president for signing and will come into force on 1 August. (mg)