Published 16 May 2019 SP Paper 528 1st Report, 2019 (Session 5) Equalities and Human Rights Committee Comataidh Co-ionnanachd agus Còraichean Daonna Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 Report Published in Scotland by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. All documents are available on the Scottish For information on the Scottish Parliament contact Parliament website at: Public Information on: http://www.parliament.scot/abouttheparliament/ Telephone: 0131 348 5000 91279.aspx Textphone: 0800 092 7100 Email: [email protected] © Parliamentary copyright. Scottish Parliament Corporate Body The Scottish Parliament's copyright policy can be found on the website — www.parliament.scot Equalities and Human Rights Committee Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 Report, 1st Report, 2019 (Session 5) Contents Background ____________________________________________________________1 Proposal for a Members' Bill ______________________________________________1 Purpose of the Bill_______________________________________________________2 Definition of physical punishment __________________________________________2 Current law on assault in Scotland _________________________________________3 Call for views ___________________________________________________________4 Engagement___________________________________________________________5 Acknowledgements _____________________________________________________5 Need for a Bill __________________________________________________________6 Is smacking assault? ____________________________________________________7 Potential harm to children ________________________________________________9 Violence ______________________________________________________________9 Restraint in the home___________________________________________________13 Restraint in care_______________________________________________________14 Human rights __________________________________________________________16 Children's rights _______________________________________________________19 Right to private and family life ____________________________________________20 Right to religious freedom _______________________________________________22 UK and international experience __________________________________________24 Rest of the UK ________________________________________________________24 England and Wales __________________________________________________24 Northern Ireland _____________________________________________________24 Other countries _______________________________________________________24 New Zealand _______________________________________________________25 Sweden ___________________________________________________________25 Ireland ____________________________________________________________26 Increased clarity of Scots Law ____________________________________________27 Clarity for service providers ______________________________________________28 Alignment with Scottish Government initiatives _______________________________29 Criminalisation of parents _______________________________________________30 Use of the defence_____________________________________________________30 Increase in prosecutions ________________________________________________31 Child protection processes_______________________________________________33 Public opinion _________________________________________________________34 Equalities and Human Rights Committee Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 Report, 1st Report, 2019 (Session 5) Children and young people ______________________________________________35 Equality groups ________________________________________________________37 Women and girls ______________________________________________________37 Disability_____________________________________________________________37 ADHD and autism____________________________________________________38 Race________________________________________________________________39 Socioeconomic________________________________________________________40 Costs_________________________________________________________________42 Work of the Finance and Constitution Committee _____________________________42 Awareness raising _____________________________________________________42 Impact on existing services ______________________________________________44 Social work_________________________________________________________44 Local government____________________________________________________45 Police Scotland and the Children's Reporter _______________________________45 Legal system and courts ______________________________________________46 Health services______________________________________________________47 Education __________________________________________________________47 Preventative spend ____________________________________________________48 Work of Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee ______________________50 Conclusion____________________________________________________________51 Smacking and assault __________________________________________________52 Will more parents be criminalised? ________________________________________53 Are individuals or certain groups rights impacted by the Bill? ____________________53 Do we need a Bill to change society's views on physical punishment? ____________55 Potential financial implications ___________________________________________55 General principle ______________________________________________________55 Annex A: Minority statement by Oliver Mundell MSP and Annie Wells MSP ______56 Annex B: Engagement __________________________________________________59 Meeting in a Box ______________________________________________________60 Scottish Youth Parliament _______________________________________________60 Skye________________________________________________________________61 Young Carers _______________________________________________________61 Portree parents and faith groups ________________________________________62 Schools____________________________________________________________62 Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh _______________________________________62 Portree High School ________________________________________________63 Equalities and Human Rights Committee Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 Report, 1st Report, 2019 (Session 5) Annex C: Extract from minutes of meetings_________________________________65 Annex D: Written evidence and Official Report ______________________________69 Equalities and Human Rights Committee Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 Report, 1st Report, 2019 (Session 5) Equalities and Human Rights Committee To consider and report on matters relating to equal opportunities and upon the observance of equal opportunities within the Parliament (and any additional matter added under Rule 6.1.5A). In these Rules, “equal opportunities” includes the prevention, elimination or regulation of discrimination between persons on grounds of sex or marital status, on racial grounds or on grounds of disability, age, sexual orientation, language or social origin or of other personal attributes, including beliefs or opinions such as religious beliefs or political opinions. Human rights, including Convention rights (within the meaning of section 1 of the Human Rights Act 1998) and other human rights contained in any international convention, treaty or other international instrument ratified by the United Kingdom. http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/ Equalities-Human-Rights-Committee.aspx [email protected] 0131 348 6040 Equalities and Human Rights Committee Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 Report, 1st Report, 2019 (Session 5) Committee Membership Convener Deputy Convener Ruth Maguire Alex Cole-Hamilton Scottish National Party Scottish Liberal Democrats Mary Fee Fulton MacGregor Scottish Labour Scottish National Party Oliver Mundell Gail Ross Scottish Conservative Scottish National Party and Unionist Party Annie Wells Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Equalities and Human Rights Committee Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 Report, 1st Report, 2019 (Session 5) Background This report represents the work of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee. The alternative views of a minority of the Committee (Oliver Mundell MSP and Annie Wells MSP), who dissented from this report, can be found in the Minority Statement at Annex A. Proposal for a Members' Bill 1. On 11 May 2017, John Finnie MSP lodged a draft proposal for a Members' Bill to give children equal protection from assault by prohibiting the physical punishment of children by parents and others caring for or in charge of children. This was accompanied by a consultation document. 2. The consultation closed on 4 August 2017 and received 660 responses, 84 of which were from organisations. 93% of organisations were supportive of the proposed Bill, including charities and groups representing children, families and women; parent organisations; local authorities; human rights organisations; health and social work bodies; police and legal organisations; universities and research groups; and equality groups. In total, 78 organisations were fully or partly supportive and 493 individuals supported the Bill. A summary of consultation responses was produced. 3. A final proposal for the Bill was lodged on 24 October 2017 and received cross party support from 31 MSPs, thereby securing the right to