Dr Waiton asks how you differentiate between the upset a child feels when they are grounded or having their bottom smacked.

Tory MSP Oliver Mundell says this legislation could go wrong in terms of parents having to restrain their children.

Mr Mundell cites the case of a child wanting to run to a Mr Whippy van, where children agreed it might be better to be smacked than be hit by a car.

Image source, bbc

Prof Jane Callaghan replies I'm not sure why it would be necessary to hit a child in that circumstance, but holding a child back would be.

Is it positive for families to be involved with the criminal justice system, asks Mr Mundell.

Prof Callaghan replies that supporting parents who are struggling can help them find other ways to discipline their children.

Diego Quiroz from the Scottish Human Rights Commission says the idea that children do not have rights is "appalling".

This leads to a brief outburst and committee convener Ruth Maguire asks witnesses to not have discussions across the table.

Children require more protections than adults so they should at least have equal protection in the law, Mr Quiroz argues.

He adds that it also sends the message to children that violence is ok.

Image source, bbc

Dr Waiton argues at present if a parent is unreasonable they can be taken to court.

Does every family which uses physical punishment retain control, asks Mr Cole-Hamilton.

Dr Waiton replies no, but adds arresting them will not help them.

Dr Anja Heilmann refutes that the research she has carried out was advocacy research, saying that physical punishment makes bad behaviour worse.

She points out all the reviews found a link between physical punishment and abuse.

Dr Stuart Waiton describes some of the research mentioned as "advocacy research", which is undertaken with a conclusion already in mind.

He points to nine studies on smacking, seven of which concluded that smacking is not harmful to children.

"I would plead to your common sense" that if you believe a small smack is commensurate is violence, then "you are living on another planet".

Dr Waiton insists his smacking does not beget violence, turning to his own daughter in the audience and asking if she has committed any violence acts recently.

Image source, bbc

Dr Stuart Waiton from Abertay University says he does not look at adults and children as the same.

He argues we would not expect to ground our partners, but we ground our children.

Prof Jane Callaghan from the University of Stirling disagrees saying children are not a different order of person than adults.

The argument of the loving parent defence does not function particularly well, the academic explains.

Dr Anja Heilmann says the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is quite clear that all physical violence directed towards children should be illegal.

Dr Stuart Waiton insists children don't have rights in the same way as adults, they have protections.

"It's a confused concept that goes against the framework of how we have historically thought of rights in terms of freedoms," he adds.

Dr Waiton insists it is a question of autonomy and the right of parents to use a form of discipline "that should not be understood as a form of violence.

Image source, bbc

Dr Stuart Waiton from Abertay University says: "I think this is a tragic, depressing bill."

The bill is patronising to parents, says Dr Waiton.

He tells the committee it criminalises parents.

"I presume I'm just wasting my time as this bill is already passed."

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says people who are against this bill have expressed concern about the balance of the rights of the children and the right to a private family life.

Diego Quiroz of the Scottish Human Rights Commission insists the bill is not aimed to criminalise parents or interfere with family life.

It is the duty of government and public bodies to take measures to protect all children from physical violence, he says.

The European Court of Human Rights is quite clear about this, he states.

Image source, bbc

Prof. Jane Callaghan from the University of Stirling supports the bill saying it is long overdue.

Dr Anja Heilmann, lead author of the "Equally Protected?" report also supports the aims of the bill.

Diego Quiroz from the Scottish Human Rights Commission concurs with the desire to end corporal punishment.

Image source, Getty Images

Legislation to ban the smacking of children in Scotland was published at Holyrood last September.

The bill, lodged by Green MSP John Finnie, has been backed by the government and looks certain to pass.

Mr Finnie said children should be given "the same legal protection from assault that adults enjoy".

Other parties are expected to give members a free vote on the issue, with MSPs from across the political spectrum voicing support for the move.

However, the Scottish Conservatives said present legislation "works well because it is based on common sense, and reflects what the majority of parents want".

Read more here.

Image source, bbc

Committee convener Ruth Maguire welcomes:

• Prof. Jane Callaghan from the University of Stirling
• Dr Stuart Waiton from Abertay University
• Dr Anja Heilmann, lead author of the "Equally Protected?" report
• Diego Quiroz from the Scottish Human Rights Commission

Image source, bbc

The Equalities and Human Rights Committee begins with an update on visits to charities MSPs undertook to hear views about the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill.

The Equalities and Human Rights Committee, external will now take evidence on the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill, external.

MSPs will hear from:

• Prof. Jane Callaghan from the University of Stirling;
• Dr Stuart Waiton from Abertay University;
• Dr Anja Heilmann, lead author of the "Equally Protected?" report;
• Diego Quiroz from the Scottish Human Rights Commission

Image source, Getty Images

MSPs will then hear from:

• Claire Simpson from Parenting Across Scotland, external
• Dr Louise Hill from the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children (CELCIS), University of Strathclyde;
• Amy-Beth Mia from Who Cares? Scotland Collective, external
• Cheryl-Ann Cruickshank from Who Cares? Scotland, external

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on 28 February 2019.

After FMQs, Tory MSP Alexander Stewart will lead a member’s debate highlighting World Hearing Day and Hearing Awareness Week 2019.

Image source, bbc/Scottish Parliament

The first of two ministerial statements gets underway at 2pm and is entitled: UK immigration policy after leaving the EU: Impacts on Scotland’s economy, population and society.

The second statement will be on the delivery of devolved benefits.

Then MSPs will debate the Census (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill for the first time.