Public support for plan to ban smacking

There is “overwhelming support” for a new law that would ban the smacking of children, the MSP proposing the move has said.

A consultation on John Finnie’s member’s bill to remove the defence of “justifiable assault”, which allows parents to use physical punishment to admonish a child, has attracted more than 650 responses from individuals and organisations.

The Green MSP said almost 75 per cent of those who responded are supportive of the change. Organisations backing the bill range from the Scottish Police Federation and Rape Crisis Scotland to the NSPCC and the Children and Young People’s Commissioner.

Commenting on the consultation responses, Mr Finnie said: “I am grateful to all organisations and individuals that contributed to the consultation.

“It is clear from the responses that there is overwhelming support for the proposal.

“There is widespread recognition that children should receive the same legal protection from assault that adults enjoy.”