New law to give equal protection to children published at Holyrood

Under current Scots law, a parent can claim a defence of “justifiable assault” when hitting their children.  A new bill, put forward by Green MSP John Finnie, would end this possible defence, and would make Scotland the first part of the UK to give children equal protection from assault if the bill is passed.

This change in law has been repeatedly called for by the UN when monitoring the UK’s implementation of human rights treaties.

The bill is backed by the Scottish Government, but is opposed by the Scottish Conservatives who say that the current legislation “works well because it is based on common sense, and reflects what the majority of parents want”.

You can read the Bill here: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/109156.aspx

 

 

Image credit: Jay, Flickr