Commentary on Sections Part 1, Chapter 1 – Offence of Domestic Abuse Section 11: Exception where responsibility for children
Subsection (1) provides that the domestic abuse offence does not apply where a person has parental responsibility for another person who is under 16 years of age.  It is considered that there are other provisions that deal with, and should more appropriately be used for, direct abuse of a child or young person by their parent or other carer.  This includes section 21.