A new survey has found that children believe smacking teaches them that the use of violence is an acceptable way to respond.

According to the survey, by the charity Save the Children in Scotland, 94 per cent of youngsters believed there were other ways of disciplining children and would prefer adults to use alternatives to hitting.

Forum Response: The Children's Society

A spokesperson for the Children's Society told ePolitix.com: "The Children's Society believes that there can be no justification for not giving children the same protection from assault as adults.

"We need to repeal the reasonable chastisement defence and work with parents, children and the community to find effective alternatives."