Commissioner for Human Rights

[28/04/10 15:00] Thirty-one years ago Sweden banned corporal punishment, and became the first country to forbid all forms of violence against children, including at home. Since then a majority of the 47 Council of Europe member states have followed suit and committed themselves to putting an end to all corporal punishment. Yet, after years of discussion, legislation, education on the subject and research showing the damaging effects of corporal punishment, it is still seen in many places as perfectly normal to hit a child. The idea of punishing children this way reflects an old fear of losing control over the child. I have often been asked how one is supposed to make children obey if one can not hit them. The answer is: with words. (more)