Equal protection for children moves closer to reality

Children in Scotland’s Chief Executive Jackie Brock has responded to the announcement that the Scottish Government will fully support John Finnie MSP’s bill to give children equal protection from assault.

Ms Brock said:

“As we have previously stated, evidence shows there is a link between poor long-term emotional wellbeing and being subjected to physical punishment as a child. 

“Children are still the only group not to be protected by law from being hit. Every parent should have the right to discipline their child, but there are certain circumstances and acts that can never be tolerated, and physical violence against a child is one of these.

"It was more than four years ago, in our response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill, that we raised concerns that the UK was out of step with other European jurisdictions, which had either achieved or were working to achieve full prohibition of corporal punishment, so we are delighted by today’s announcement from the Scottish Government about the commitment to a change in the law as a result of John Finnie’s Members’ Bill.”

Our Head of Policy, Projects and Participation, Amy Woodhouse, makes the case for equal protection in the current edition of Children in Scotland magazine. 
Read her comment piece