"Shoulder Beatings"were common in Victorian Days

Further evidence in the was Charlotte Bronte smacked on the bum or shoulders(as a euphamism?)points to it being
very plausible that it was indeed the bare shoulders
and that this is not a euphamism for the bum.
This comes from a rare record I have come across where
such a ritulistic punishment was carried out regularly
at a top public school before assembly in the 1880s period.
The offendor bared the top of their back and shoulders
and was struck across the top back with a cane.
It does suggest this was more symbolic and to shame
than actual hard swishing however.
It was indeed considered more shameful than a private bottom swishing in the Heads study!
The archive material also reveals that up until 1824 fully naked birching was applied at Eton.
There after it was moderated to merely trousers
down.
Progress!