SCOTLAND’S smacking ban is the best way to help children learn that violence is not acceptable, the MSP behind the new law has said ahead of it coming into effect tomorrow.
The legislation removes the defence of justifiable assault from Scots law.
Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie brought forward the legislation and described the decision to ban smacking as a “momentous day for children’s rights”.
The new law will give children the same protection from assault as adults, making Scotland the 58th country to outlaw corporal punishment.
MSPs voted by 84 to 29 to pass the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill at Holyrood last year.
Ahead of the law coming into force, Finnie argued protecting children from violence is the best way to teach that it is unacceptable.
He also said parents and carers need support and advice about the implications of the law and urged the Scottish Government to “continue to promote public awareness and understanding”.
Finnie said: “I am extremely proud to have taken a bill through Parliament that will have such a positive effect on the lives of Scotland’s children.
“I am also pleased that the Scottish Government is already looking to build on this work by seeking to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law.
“As I have progressed my campaign over the last four years, it has been noticeable just how many people believed that striking a child was already outlawed. I am pleased that this will now be the case.
“Physical punishment has no place in 21st-century Scotland. All the international evidence suggests using physical punishment is ineffective and it can have serious negative impacts on children.
“I have no doubt that future generations will look back in bemusement that we allowed our most vulnerable citizens to be treated in this manner.
“As a society we teach that violence is unacceptable, and the best way to impart that message on to future generations is to ensure that they are not exposed to it.
“This legislation outlaws the last ‘acceptable’ form of violence and I believe that is a positive step for Scotland to take.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here