Scotland declares slapping children illegal

Slapping childern will be illegal in Scotland after new legislation came into effect.

With this new law, Scotland becomes the first part of the United Kingdom to do so.

The Scottish parliament passed the changes to the law giving children the same protection from assault as adults last year and it will come into effect from Saturday.

As per the under the new Scottish law, children below 16 cannot be slapped and parents may face legal action in case of hurting their children through physical punishment.

There will be restrictions on parents under the law to slap on the face or any part of the body, beating with the hand or any other object, throwing them out, fists or snatching hair. Children will also not to be forced to sit on any uncomfortable place.

The Scottish Green MSP John Finnie, who introduced the changes, in a statement said:

“As I have progressed my campaign over the last four years, it has been noticeable just how many people believed that striking a child was already outlawed”.

“I am pleased that this will now be the case.”

The children’s minister, Maree Todd, in a statement said: “I’m very pleased that Scotland has become the first part of the UK to legislate to ensure that children, without exception, have the same protection from assault as adults.

“This outdated defence has no place in a modern Scotland. It can never be reasonable to strike a child.”

As being reported, after Scotland, Wales is expected to follow suit with the introduction of a ban by 2022.