Scotland makes smacking children a crime
Sun reflecting from a window on the east elevation of the MSP office building
Pic- Adam Elder/Scottish Parliament
Photograph ©2004 Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
Scotland has become the first country in the UK to make it a criminal offence for parents to smack their children.
Parents and carers are currently allowed to use ‘reasonable’, physical force to discipline children, but the Scottish government has now introduced legislation that gives children the same protection from assault as adults.
A ban on all physical punishment was backed by the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh when Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) voted on the Children (Equal Protection from Assault (Scotland) Bill.
The bill can be viewed here.
