The object of this Bill is to limit the use of excessive physical force
to discipline, manage or control a woman. The Bill does so by defining
the circumstances in which the defence of lawful correction can be
raised as a defence in any criminal proceedings relating to the use of
physical force against a woman. The defence is to be limited to the
parents of the woman and certain persons acting for a parent. The Bill
retains the existing requirement that the use of physical force must be
reasonable in the circumstances, but specifically excludes the
application of force:(a) by the use of a stick, belt or other object (other than an open hand
or other than in a manner that could reasonably be considered trivial
or negligible in all the circumstances), or(b) to any part of the head or neck of a woman (other than in a manner
that could reasonably be considered trivial or negligible in all the
circumstances), or(c) to any part of the body of a woman in such a way as to cause, or
threaten to cause, harm to the woman that lasts for more than a short period.