Parents facing prosecution for child neglect
Tough new sanctions also target emotional abuse
SCOTS parents could be prosecuted for neglecting and emotionally abusing children under tough new proposals aimed at improving child welfare.
Adults can currently only be punished for physically harming youngsters and the legislation is covered by an 80-year-old law.
But under new plans being brought forward parents now face being prosecuted for emotional abuse and neglect of children as well.
The details of a new law to define and criminalise the emotional abuse and neglect of children have been revealed by ministers in response to the publication of two wide-ranging reports on child protection.
Under the plans, the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 will be updated to recognise the impact of emotional abuse and neglect, as well as physical harm.
Human trafficking will also be covered by the new law with recent figures showing that 40 per cent of the 262 registered unaccompanied children since 2011 were brought to Scotland by traffickers.
Just nine children were trafficked in 2011, but this rose to 32 in 2015 which Childcare and Early Years Minister Mark McDonald said was a worrying trend that had to be stopped.
He said the Government has a zero-tolerance approach towards trafficking and is raising awareness of the services available to such victims.
It follows the findings of a review of the child-protection system led by independent chair Catherine Dyer and the publication of the Government’s child-protection improvement programme report.
Mr McDonald said: “This Government is determined to ensure more of Scotland’s children get the best possible start in life.
“Importantly, we will introduce new legislation to make the emotional abuse and neglect of children a criminal offence, updating an 80-year old law whose archaic language has resulted in difficulties prosecuting offences.
“This means protecting the most vulnerable in our communities from harm, abuse and neglect. Catherine Dyer’s review concludes that in general, our child-protection system works well.
“However, both she and the child-protection improvement programme report have identified opportunities to strengthen all aspects of the system to better protect our children.
“I have accepted all of these recommendations in full and set out how they will be implemented swiftly and effectively.”
The Government will also publish a national child protection policy identifying all the responsibilities and actions across government which are aimed at supporting families and protecting children.
It will also explore how best to establish a national child-protection register to better protect young people on local registers who move to a new area.
National standards will also be drawn up for those carrying out significant case reviews, while the role of the Care Inspectorate will be expanded to analyse their findings.
Mr McDonald will also set up and chair a national child protection leadership group.
Liberal Democrat Sheila Thomson said: “Scottish Liberal Democrats welcome the news that the Scottish Government will take on board a number of recommendations to better protect children and young people.
“However, we need assurances from ministers that this range of initiatives will be funded properly.
“They also must be delivered in a way that won’t risk diverting talented and experienced social workers away from front-line care work. OLYMPIC marathon heroes Callum and Derek Hawkins have started the race to sign up for this year’s Paisley 10k and Fun Run. The popular event , sponsored by sports and outdoors retailer, Decathlon – takes place on Sunday, August 20.
Callum, who runs for Kilbarchan Amateur Athletic Club and last weekend won the National Cross Country Championships, said: “The Paisley 10k is a great race and I’d encourage everyone to sign up and take part. Derek and I have competed several times and we’ve really enjoyed it.”