Nothing can justify violence towards children In most of Europe
today, society tolerates and even approves recurrent forms of
violence against children, in particular those inflicted in the
home. No religion, economic situation or "educational" method
can justify hitting, smacking, spanking, abusing, humiliating,
or any other practice that violates a child's dignity. It is
internationally recognised in human rights law that children
have a right to protection from all forms of violence, including
corporal punishment in all settings – home, school, penal
systems, care institutions, wherever children are found. One
third of our member states have made corporal punishment illegal
and others are committed to legal reform. But despite these
positive developments, corporal punishment remains lawful in
most countries. Lawfulness of corporal punishment is also
contrary to the right of children to equal protection under the
law. Abolishing it calls for changes in legislation and new
policies to ensure implementation a