UK Children's commissioner calls for total smacking ban
29 December 2013
In an article in The Guardian on 28 December 2013,UK Commissioner for Children Maggie Atkinson questions the loophole in UK law that forbids striking of adults or pets, but allows parents to physically chastise children. Read the article here.
Global Initiative Newsletter 24
5 December 2013
The most recent Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children newsletter includes information about global progress, human rights reports, country campaigns, and research. In addition to a report on the law change in Honduras (see the separate EPOCH NZ news item) there is information about various states where progress toward reform is very positive.
In many countries there are active campaigns towards reform such as Wales where a roadshow and vigil on the theme “Ending Legalised Violence against Children” was held at Brecon Cathedral, 25-26 April 2013. Candles were lit to remember children who have suffered violence, and the Dean, The Very Reverend Geoffrey Marshall, washed children’s feet as a sign of respect. In his address the Dean said smacking should not be seen as acceptable behaviour: “Ending violence against children is a religious imperative and the Church has a responsibility to work with others to do so”. An exhibition and roadshow was held in Cardiff for Universal Children’s Day 20 November 2013 on the theme of “Hitting Children is Wrong and the Law Should Say So”.
Further research associating smacking with negative developmental outcomes
17 November 2013
In a recent article published in the journal Pediatrics (Vol 132, No 5, November 2013), the researchers examined the prevalence of paternal and maternal spanking of children at 3 and 5 years of age and the association between spanking and children’s externalizing behaviour and receptive vocabulary through to age 8. The article concludes that spanking remains a typical rearing experience for American children. The results demonstrate the negative effects of spanking on child behavioural and cognitive development.
Honduras becomes 34th state to achieve full prohibition
16 November 2013
An amending law (Decree No. 35-2013) was passed in Honduras in September 2013 repealing article 231 of the Civil Code Article 5 of the amending law replaces article 191 of the Family Code with explicit prohibition of corporal punishment:
"Parents, in the exercise of parental authority, have the right to exercise orientation, care and correction of their children, and to import to them, in keeping with the evolution of their physical and mental faculties, the guidance and orientation which are appropriate for their comprehensive development.
It is prohibited to parents and every person charged with the care, upbringing, education, treatment and monitoring [of children and adolescents], whether on a temporary or permanent basis, to use physical punishment or any type of humiliating, degrading, cruel or inhuman treatment as a form of correction or discipline of children or adolescents.
The State, through its competent institutions, will guarantee:
a) the execution of awareness and education programs directed to parents and every person charged with the care, treatment, education or monitoring of children and adolescents, at both national and local levels; and,
b) the promotion of positive, participative and non-violent forms of discipline as alternatives to physical punishment and other forms of humiliating treatment.”
A call for the end to physical punishment of children in Australia
4 August 2013
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians in Australia has issued a position statement calling for an end to physical punishment of children and advocating both legal reform and parent support and education. The call was based on the increasing volume of research evidence that conclusively demonstrates the risks associated with the use of physical punishment and on children’s rights to protection from violence. Physical punishment is legal in all states in Australia. The release has been accompanied by a great deal of media interest both in Australia and as far away as the UK. As was the case in New Zealand, opinions are divided on the issue. The Royal College of Physicians has taken an important step in opening up the public debate in Australia and it is to be hoped that in time Australia will join the growing list of countries that have reformed their law so that physical punishment of children is legally prohibited.