Equal Protection Bill passes at Stage 3

Date: 8th October 2019
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare, Equal protection from violence

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Together is pleased to see the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill pass at Stage 3 in the Scottish Parliament on 3th October 2019.

The Bill, which was lodged by the Scottish Green party MSP John Finnie and supported by Scottish Government, passed overwhelmingly with 84 MSPs voting in favour and 29 against.

The Bill aims to end the physical punishment of children by parents or carers by removing the legal defence of ‘justifiable assault’ which allowed parents to physically punish their children provided they do not hit them around the head, use an implement or shake them.

By passing the Bill, Scotland has become the first UK country to ensure children equal protection against assault, joining 57 other countries worldwide. Within the UK, Wales is expected to follow suit, with a similar Bill outlawing physical punishment currently at Stage 2 before the Welsh Assembly.

• Read the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill in full here.
• Read Together’s response to the Equal Protection consultation here.