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Quakers in Scotland welcome move towards nonviolence

By agency reporter
March 15, 2019

Quakers in Scotland are welcoming a change in the law to move Scotland to becoming a more nonviolent nation.

Quakers' General Meeting for Scotland made a submission to the Equalities and Human Rights Committee on the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill.

In it they say, “Quakers believe that nonviolence is something that needs practice throughout a lifetime, and that the grounding for a nonviolent life starts in childhood. We therefore welcome this positive move towards Scotland becoming a more nonviolent nation. However, we also feel that a law alone is not enough, and that to create lasting cultural change education, training, support and compassion needs to be offered to those who struggle to meet the requirements of the Bill.

“We welcome the Bill as a good first step on reducing violence against children. However we would also caution that the aim of eradicating violence against children will need more work over a long time scale to achieve."

Mairi Campbell-Jack, Scottish Parliamentary Engagement Officer for Quakers in Britain will be providing oral evidence to the Committee on Friday (15 March).

* Quakers in Wales responded to a consultation from the Welsh Assembly last year, and their response is included here

* Read the submission from Quakers in Scotland  here

* Quakers in Scotland http://www.quakerscotland.org/

*  Quakers are known formally as the Religious Society of Friends. Around 23,000 people attend 478 Quaker meetings in Britain. Their commitment to equality, justice, peace, simplicity and truth challenges them to seek positive social and legislative change.

* Quakers in Britain http://www.quaker.org.uk/

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