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[3 July 2007] - A national campaign against the physical punishment of children has been launched in Brasilia. The launch of "Não Bata, Eduque!" (Don´t hit, educate!), was attended by the country´s President Lula, the Vice-President José de Alencar, the Minister of Human Rights Paulo Vanucchi, Congresswoman Maria do Rosário, author of the bill to ban all corporal punishment of children, which has sat before parliament since 2003, Brazilian celebrity Xuxa Meneghel and several other authorities. More than 100 children involved in the campaign were present. The core of the ceremony was the need to change the culturally accepted notion that Hitting children also a crime Face with the large number of raised hands, the host said: “People cannot think that beating an adult is a crime and beating a child is education. We must know that it is a mistake, as much as hitting women, or slavery were in the past.” President Lula added: “According to the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, every year 6,6 million children and adolescents – 12 percent of all people under 14 – are victims of physical violence in Brazil. An average of 18 thousand a day, 720 an hour or 12 a minute. Only 20 percent of these aggressions are registered." Xuxa stressed the responsibility of the parents in breaking the culture of violence. “I’m Parents are the main target of the campaign. With a 30-second video narrated by Xuxa Slaps, pinches and beatings can evolve into more severe aggressions and compromise the development of the children, carrying on into their adult life. The material also presents tips to parents about how to give up violence without losing authority. Sensitisation According to Alison Sutton, coordinator of the projects of Unicef (United Nations Children Fund) for the protection of children and adolescents: “The most important thing in the campaign is to sensitise families not only in the sense that they may not beat, but also to show them that it is possible to educate in a calm way, using dialog.” Renowned experts in juvenile education and development participated in the "But we, professionals from civil society, are supported by international scientific studies which prove that a child subjected to this kind of treatment will resort to violence as a social code in adult life”, said the doctor, explaining that girls and boys that were once abused can become violent in the future, including against their own children. The awareness raising initiative will last indeterminately. “The campaign places Brazil in the vanguard, since only 18 countries in the world have Barker reminds that this right is protected by the Brazilian Code for Children and Adolescents (Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente) and by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and is restated in the UN Global Report on Violence against Children. Further information
beating children is a legitimate way to educate them. “Those who have ever slapped
their kids, please raise your hands. And what about those who were beaten in
childhood?” said Xuxa Meneghel to the guests.
asking the adults that were beaten in childhood to think carefully before they raise their
hands to hit a child, to think about what is going to happen to that tiny human being,
who cannot defend himself”.
and the educational folders using her image, the campaign shows families how small
gestures used as a way to correct the children’s behavior result in a series of
consequences.
elaboration of educational tips for parents. Among those was the pediatrician Raquel
Niskier, head of the SBP. “Nobody has ever proved that aggression is effective as
educational strategy.
created laws to eradicate physical punishment. The aim is not to penalise the parents,
but to invite them to a dialog to raise their awareness about the fact that the right to a
life without violence starts in childhood”, explained Gary Barker, executive director of
Promundo, an organisation that is responsible for the executive office of the network
Educate, Do Not Punish!
pdf: http://www.crin.org/docs/Brazillaunch2007.pdf