Scotland plans ban on hitting children

Women, children and victims of crime are to be
the main beneficiaries of radical new legislation, according to the
Scottish executive.

Proposals in the Criminal Justice
Bill include a total ban on smacking children under the age of
three and on hitting any child of any age with an implement. It
also proposes more than doubling maximum sentences for anyone
convicted of possessing child pornography.

The
package of measures addressing high-risk offenders such as sex
offenders includes the introduction of an Order for Lifelong
Restriction.

The
bill is expected to become law in 2003.