I remember being strapped rulered and caned on the bare legs (with a light,thin cane) at schools down under, in the 60s and 70s. When I say legs, I mean calves, not thighs. I attended both catholic and government schools.
Boy, it hurt, and the marks would last a day or two, as ‘an example for others’. This was where girls usually got punished. I’d prefer a hiding at home on the bare bottom than having my legs strapped. The most I got was six, and the pain was something else.
We did get it on the hands also, and occasionally on the bottom. The boys got it usually on the hands, or with considerable force on the clothed bottom with the cane for serious offences. Mostly, female teachers punished us, as well as the boys, and male techers the boys, mostly.