KINGLASSIE councillor Julie Ford, has welcomed the Scottish Government's support of a Green MSP's bill to ban smacking in Scotland.
This will make it the first country within the UK to implement such a law.
The UK is one of only five countries within the EU to still allow the defence of 'justifiable assault', which means that, legally, children currently have less protection than adults from violence.
Welcoming the announcement, Cllr Julie Ford, the councillor for Glenrothes West and Kinglassie, said this week: "Research shows that physical punishment as a way of discipline does not work.
"In fact, the evidence is contrary showing that it can severely damage the parent-child relationship and can be the cause of emotional and behavioural problems."
Julie Ford added: "Children should not and cannot be afforded less protections and human rights under law, which is why this change is necessary.
"Assault can never be deemed 'justifiable', and I am pleased to see that this defence when hitting a child will finally be removed."
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