Matt Forde, National Head of Service for NSPCC Scotland said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Parliament has voted to approve the Equal Protection Bill at Stage One.
“It is simply wrong that children do not have the same protection from assault as adults. Rectifying this unfair legal loophole is a common-sense step, which would bring Scotland into line with dozens of other countries across the world.
“The Scottish Parliament has listened to the evidence and acted in the best interests of young people. Physical punishment is harmful to children and its days are rightly numbered.”
