As we reach the end of the tortuous journey to see Scotland become the first country to ban the smacking of children, John Finnie MSP is to be congratulated on his perseverance, determination and dedication.
I have read comments which indicate the struggle he has had and how long it has taken to reach this point. However, the truth is that this campaign doesn’t just go back years. It started decades ago.
In the late 1980s, the campaign was started by the Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (RSSPCC), which is now Children 1st. At that time, my husband Douglas, who was head of PR and Public Affairs, and his colleague Dr Anne Stafford, who was head of Social Policy, commenced the arduous task of convincing the Society’s governing and fundraising committees – and the staff who tended to be conditioned by tradition – to adopt the radical policy of campaigning to end physical punishment of children.
They were backed in this by the then General Secretary, Arthur Wood and the head of Social Work, Ray Starrs. Sadly Arthur Wood is now deceased, but he went on then to become the first CEO of Children 1st.
The RSSPCC was joined by Childline, the children’s help line founded by Esther Rantzen, led in Scotland at that time by Anne Houston. There were productive discussions with the organisation, End Physical Punishment of Children (EPOCH) and from this the Scottish version of EPOCH (SCEPOCH) was formed. They were fortunate to have the formidable support in the media of Ruth Wishart.
The work of the RSSPCC and other charities at that time were instrumental in the creation of the first office of Children’s Commissioner, and that office, under Kathleen Marshall, above, joined in the campaign to press the government for changes in legislation.
A limited success was achieved when the Government, while retaining the defence of “reasonable chastisement”, banned the use of implements in physical punishment.
All through that time, the RSSPCC never wanted punitive measures or prosecution of parents.
I remember being privy to a memorable conversation when it was stated that there was understanding of what could happen in situations where parents were under considerable stress, though sadly it sometimes led to incidents of abuse.
What was less understood was the motivation of those who campaigned vigorously for the right to smack their children in cold blood.
There is an old saying which contends that it’s amazing what can be achieved if nobody minds who gets the credit. The people who are mentioned here tend to be self-effacing, but I hope they won’t mind if I say on their behalf that, as has been shown by the passage of time, that they were pioneers with a vision way ahead of its time and deserve some recognition of their efforts at this momentous time.
Gill Turner
Edinburgh
When are the yoons going to realise that when Alex Salmond said “Once-In-A-Generation back in 2014 he was referring to the Haggis?
Now, as most of us in Scotlandshire know, the life span of the haggis is only around three to five years depending on weather conditions, food availability, and their luck in surviving the shooting season when well-heeled toffs flock to the moors to shoot the puir wee blighters in the name of sport. So, Mr Union Jock, the next referendum is long overdue.
Angus Grewar
Kirriemuir
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