Commenting on the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill, which aims to criminalise smacking, being passed in the final stage of its parliamentary process today, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said:
“I am disappointed that the Scottish Parliament has chosen to pass this legislation, which so many of my constituents recognise as an intrusion into family life, as well as being very difficult to enforce.
“I recognise that there are many views on how to bring up children, but parents remain a child’s primary caregiver. Obviously in cases of real abuse, the authorities already have extensive powers to intervene. This legislation, however, will lead to loving parents being criminalised and the redirecting of limited resources from dealing with cases of actual harm.
“This Bill simply doesn’t get that balance right.”
