 Kathleen Marshall said children must have more protection |
Scotland's children's commissioner has called for a change in the law to discourage parents from physically punishing their offspring. Kathleen Marshall told a conference in Edinburgh how she wants more support for parents to pursue alternative forms of discipline.
Criminal justice, health, education and children's welfare experts attended.
They looked at legal reform which would provide children with the same protection from assault as adults.
Ms Marshall said: "It is unbelievable that in the 21st Century, Scots Law still allows justifiable assault on children.
"There needs to be the complete removal of this defence so that what would be an assault on an adult would be an assault on a child."
'Last resort'
Also speaking at the event, organised by the commissioner for children and young people, was Detective Chief Superintendent John Carnochan of Strathclyde Police's violence reduction unit.
He said: "Parenting is tough - there is no guide book, no manual.
"Violence is often used as a last resort for parents at the end of their tether, but violence in any circumstance is wrong - just because your parents disciplined you in that way doesn't make it right.
"It's simply a bigger person hitting a smaller person.
"Therefore it is imperative we give parents the support they need to develop alternatives to violence."
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It's simply a bigger person hitting a smaller person
