Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Experts to discuss smacking issue

A campaign to prevent parents from smacking their children will be discussed at a conference in Edinburgh.

Children's groups insist it is unacceptable that Scots law allows "justifiable assault" on children.

Representatives from education and the justice system will outline on Wednesday why smacking is not an acceptable way to enforce discipline.

In 2002 the Scottish Executive abandoned plans to ban smacking children under the age of three.

At the conference, Scotland's Children's Commissioner Kathleen Marshall will urge a change in the law to provide more protection for children.

She said the defence of "justifiable assault" on a child is "unbelievable" and needs to be completely removed from Scots law.

Detective Chief Superintendent John Carnochan is also expected to say that parents play a crucial role in helping to change attitudes to violence in Scotland.

Source: BBC

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