Clare Simpson, Parenting Across Scotland, said—
the intent of this bill is to provide equal protection for children and adults…there is currently a ground of assault, whether the offence concerns adults or children…if I were to assault my child, there would be a defence— even though, to me, such action would be indefensible—whereas there would be no defence if I assaulted an adult.Official Report, 28 February, col. 40
John McKenzie, Police Scotland, told us, “The terms ‘smacked’ and ‘whacked’, which have been used in the media, are not that helpful.