SMACKING BAN UP-DATE: Scotland Becomes First UK Country To Ban Smacking

FOLLOWING on from this morning’s news that Scottish Parliament today are about to potentially pass a total ban on smacking children in Scotland. The vote has taken place this afternoon.

Scotland has become the first country in the UK to make it a criminal offence for parents to smack their children.

The ban on all physical punishment was backed overwhelmingly by 84 votes to 29 by the Scottish Parliament on this afternoon (Thursday).

Parents and carers are currently allowed to use “reasonable” physical force to discipline their children. Now the move, when it comes into force, will give children in Scotland the same protection from assault as adults.

The smacking ban bill was introduced by Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie, a former police officer. Mr Finnie said smacking teaches children that “might is right”, and that the ban would “send a strong message that violence is never acceptable in any setting”.

Mr Finnie additionally states that there is “irrefutable” evidence that physical punishment causes damage to children and may escalate into physical abuse.

Sweden became the first country in the world to ban smacking in the home when it outlawed corporal punishment in 1979 – with Scotland becoming the 58th to do so.