We have co-signed the letter that The Faculty of Public Health and 15 other professional healthcare bodies and charities have written to Scottish political party leaders asking them to support the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill at the Stage 3 proceedings, taking place on Thursday 3 October 2019.

If passed, the Bill will offer children in Scotland the same lawful protection from violence that adults are currently afforded. Just as it is unlawful to hit a spouse, an elderly relative or an adult with or without a disability, it should no longer be lawful for parents or carer to hit a child. Evidence demonstrates that hitting children damages their health and well-being and that violence does not work as a strategy for improving behaviour.

This coalition of organisations wants a Scotland where all children can thrive. We want to support and empower families to give their children the best start in life, and we want to deliver this bill to stop the long-lasting consequences of violence against children in Scotland.