EURONET POSITION PAPER Ending Corporal Punishment against children

EURONET POSITION PAPER Ending Corporal Punishment against children within the home: the need for EU support to give children legal protection General Assembly September 2008

AIM To obtain the European Union’s commitment to send a strong signal that no forms of corporal punishment against children are tolerated, so as to ensure that all Member States review their legislative process to make the abolition a reality for all children in the European Union.

Background Information § 13 of the 27 EU Member States still have no legislation fully prohibiting corporal punishment of children § An alarming prevalence of corporal punishment of children still exists and is accepted in EU countries with full prohibition § All EU states have ratified the UNCRC which provides for the child’s right to be protected against torture or other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment (Article 19, 37)

Legal Framework § The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Articles 19 and 37 § European Social Charter, Article 17 § 2004 recommendation adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe § The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Article 24(1) § The EU Communication “Towards an EU strategy on the Rights of the Child” and European Parliament report

Arguments for the ban § To send parents the right message. § Assisting broader child protection. §Corporal punishment teaches children negative behaviour.

Children’s Views (corporal or physical punishment) means to be hit; it means pain, harshness and tears. -Girl, ages 9 If you smack dad, he gives you a row. . . why can dad smack the child? -Boy, aged 6 Parents hit their children because they were hit in their childhood as well -Girl aged 16 If a child does not behave, don’t beat him/her with a belt, explain why he/she does not behave as he/she should -Girl aged 13 A big man should not hit a small man -Girl, aged 9

EURONET’s Recommendations to the EU § EURONET urges EU Member States to ensure that national legislation fully prohibits corporal punishment in the home. § EURONET encourages EU Member States to raise awareness amongst children and their parents and carers on children’s equal rights to protection, and ensure that laws prohibiting corporal punishment are fully implemented. § EURONET calls on EU Member States to adequately resource positive parenting programmes in order to support parents in finding alternative, non-violent methods of setting boundaries for children. § EURONET calls on the EU to add valuable support to the call to end all forms of corporal punishment of children so as to ensure that all Member States review their legislative process.

EURONET’s Recommendations to the EU § EURONET calls on the EU to stimulate the exchange of best practices to implement legislation to ban corporal punishment in the home, including methods of positive parenting. § EURONET calls on the EU to facilitate data collection on corporal punishment of children across EU Member States. § EURONET calls on the European Parliament to support the total ban on corporal punishment of children in the EU

Statement of Support EURONET calls on the EU Member States to support the UN global deadline of 2009 for the universal abolition of corporal punishment against children, including within the home. I support the elimination of corporal punishment of children and call on the governments of all EU Member States to ban corporal against children in all settings, including the home, in their national legislation. I support the promotion of positive parenting programmes by all EU Member States as a preventive measure to avoid corporal punishment against children. I support the availability and accessibility for children and adults of information materials and counselling services to prevent and protect children from violence within the home.

Campaigns- Postcard Example

“It’s cruel. It’s not right. It’s abuse. It should stop now. ”