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Scotland makes smacking children a criminal office
A rally was held outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh in support of the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill

THE Scottish Parliament today passed the first law in Britain making it a criminal offence for parents to smack their children.

The Children (Equal Protection From Assault) Bill, proposed by Green MSP John Finnie, passed by 84 votes to 29 today and won support from all parties except the Conservatives.

Proposing the Bill Mr Finnie cited “irrefutable” academic research and evidence from countries which have implemented similar legislation.

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