This handbook is a revised, abridged version of “Ending corporal punishment of children-working with and within religious communities” (2011). It provides links to tools and resources for engaging with and enlisting the support of religious communities and faith-based institutions towards the prohibition and elimination of corporal punishment of children. It recognises the crucial role that religious communities play and seeks to broaden their involvement as active partners in the global movement towards achieving children’s right to equal protection under the law.
The handbook is based on the premises that the major world religions profess respect for the inherent dignity of every person including children and that the universal principles of compassion, justice, equality and non-violence are central to religious teachings. It recognises that there are those who use their religious faith to justify violence against children and looks at ways of changing attitudes. It includes:
- The relationship between religion and corporal punishment
- The prevalence of corporal punishment and its impact on children’s lives
- Children’s right to protection from all corporal punishment
- Challenging corporal punishment and taking action with religious communities
- Working with religious communities towards reform
Writing in the foreword, Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General on Violence against Children stated, “This revised edition of the handbook comes at an auspicious time. In 2016 the international community will mark the tenth anniversary of the Secretary General’s Study on Violence against Children. Next year will also start the implementation of the post-15 development agenda, which recognises both the right of all children to a life free from violence and the fact that ending violence is essential for sustainable development.”
