Commissioner criticises Scotland's attitude to smacking children
SCOTLAND’S tolerance towards smacking children is “untenable”, the country’s new children’s tsar has said amid a drive to ban parents from dispensing physical punishment.
Bruce Adamson said Scotland's tolerance towards smacking children is 'untenable'
Bruce Adamson insisted the current legal defence of “justifiable assault” is at odds with most of Europe and “international human rights terms”.
His comments come after the launch of a consultation on a member’s Bill by Green MSP John Finnie which could see parent’s prosecuted for smacking their children.
But opponents argue the change in the law would erode the rights of parents.
Almost every country in wider Europe is committed to this change and we still in Scotland say that it’s okay for a parent or carer to assault a child for the purpose of physical punishment, and that that can be justified, which is just untenable in inte
Mr Adamson’s predecessor as Children’s Commissioner, Tam Baillie, repeatedly called for a ban and argued Scotland lagged behind “pariah states” such as Zimbabwe on the issue.
Two years ago the UN Human Rights Committee said corporal punishment, including in the home, should come to an end, if appropriate “through legislative measures”.
In some countries, parents can face up to five years in prison.
In some countries parents can face up to five years in prison
Mr Adamson told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland programme that Scotland had been “routinely condemned” by the UN.
He added: “Almost every country in wider Europe is committed to this change and we still in Scotland say that it’s okay for a parent or carer to assault a child for the purpose of physical punishment, and that that can be justified, which is just untenable in international human rights terms.
“And I really think it really goes against the basic values that we hold in Scotland in terms of human dignity and respect for children.”
Opponents argue the change in the law would erode the rights of parents
The proposed smacking ban has the support of organisations including the Church of Scotland, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, NSPCC, Children 1st, and Barnardo’s.
The Scottish Government said it has no plans to introduce legislation but “consider carefully” Mr Finnie’s Bill.
A spokeswoman added: ““The Scottish Government does not support physical punishment of children.
“We continue to support positive parenting and we recognise that physical punishment can set children the wrong example and is not an effective way to teach children discipline.”