IT'S THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPANKOUT DAY USA!
APRIL 30, 2008 Contact:: info@stophitting.org

April 30, 2008 is the l0th anniversary of SpankOut Day USA. It was initiated in l998 by End Physical Punishment of Children (EPOCH-USA) to bring widespread attention to need to end corporal punishment of children and to promote effective, non-violent discipline alternatives. EPOCH-USA is changing the way corporal punishment is viewed in the US. Thousands of parents and caregivers have participated in SpankOut Day education events where they learn alternatives to hitting children. In the last l0 years, six hundred agencies, schools and churches have received mini-grants to support SpankOut events. The observance has spread to at least a dozen other countries where it is sometimes called “No Hitting Day”. Why do we need to end corporal punishment? • To reduce child abuse. Physical abuse almost always starts out as “discipline”, adults striking children with hands, sticks, whips, electric cords and other objects. A recent Center for Disease Control (CDC) study showed that almost 4,000 babies of just a week of age were reported as physically abused ("Nonfatal Maltreatment of Infants -- United States, October 2005–September 2006"). In another CDC report, almost one-third of adults reported suffering physical abuse in childhood with such experiences linked to negative health outcomes like alcoholism and depression (“The Effects of Childhood Stress on Health Across the Lifespan”). • To recognize that children have the same right as all other humans to be free from physical harm. After all, our legal code makes it illegal to hit spouses, employees, neighbors or even our neighbor’s dogs. Twenty three nations have banned all corporal punishment of children, even in homes, leading to a significant decline in physical abuse and affording children protection from physical harm. The observance is modeled after the “Great American Smokeout”. EPOCH-USA wants to see a reduction in corporal punishment of children like we have seen in smoking over the last 20 years. “Not all smokers die of lung cancer and not all children who are hit for discipline are physically abused: however, both practices are harmful and need to be eliminated,” says Nadine Block, SpankOut Day USA Chair.

On this l0th anniversary of SpankOut Day, EPOCH-USA is happy to announce that hitting of children is declining in the US. It is banned by almost all states in child care, foster care and in institutions for children. Parental use of corporal punishment is declining and 29 states have banned it in schools. SpankOut Day April 30th is a start to ending corporal punishment of children. EPOCH-USA says “Every day should be ‘SpankOut Day’!” SpankOut Day Events: http://www.stophitting.com/spankOut/2008SpankOutDayEvents.php

New Spanking Study Shows More Bad Effects
March 2, 2008 Sexual problems as adults related to having been spanked as children

Dr. Murray Straus, a University of New Hampshire domestic abuse expert says spanking children has long term affects on sex lives of adults. They are more likely to coerce partners to have sex, to have masochistic sex and to coerce partners into sex. See Associated Press:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hfFJ2o-5pwO6alsig-o7kJRf7IVQD8V4ATU00 Center for Effective Discipline www.stophitting.org

Norwegian Church leaders to remove outdated language justifying corporal punishment in the Bible
January 22, 2008, from CRINMAIL

Outdated language used to justify corporal punishment of children is set to be removed from new translations of the Christian Bible in Norway.

Church leaders have given the green light to the proposal, put forward by the Norwegian Ombudsman for Children, to replace the word “chastisement” with more appropriate language reflecting its original and intended meaning.

Ombudsman Reidar Hjermann found that children subjected to physical harm, who had contacted his office, believed violence may be authorised by the Bible.

But a statement issued by the Bishops’ Conference of Norway read: “Today the word “chastisement” has acquired a meaning that differs from its original intended meaning. In modern Norwegian usage, the word “chastisement” is virtually synonymous with corporal punishment. “Today this word is unsuitable for reflecting what is involved when the Bible speaks of parents’ responsibility to raise and guide their children.” It is hoped the move will spark a raft of similar revisions in other countries.

Peter Newell, Coordinator of the Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, said: "This is a very positive move by Norway's Bishops' Conference. “Too often we come across the bible being used to justify violence against children, although increasingly the established churches are joining the movement to prohibit and eliminate all forms of violence against children, including all corporal punishment".

Meanwhile, Chris Dodd, Coordinator of the Churches' Network for Non-violence (CNNV), said: “Jesus gave children status and respect and said they should be treated as human beings. Norway's Bishops' Conference affirms children's human dignity and makes it clear there is no place in Christian parenting for corporal punishment."

Spain bans all corporal punishment of children
December 20, 2007

From Reuters in Madrid - Spanish parents will be banned from smacking their children, congress voted on Thursday.

Until now parents have been allowed to "reasonably and moderately correct" their children, but deputies deleted that clause and rewrote Spain's civil code to make clear a child's physical and psychological integrity should be respected.

In the last two weeks, Uruguay and Venezuela banned all corporal punishment of children making 23 nations who have done so. An additional l0-15 countries have commitments to do so.

Contact: Center for Effective Discipline 614-221-8829 www.stophttin.org

School paddling ban sought in Ohio
12-4-07 Paddling bill supported by Governor and 48 state organizations

HB 406, A BILL WHICH WILL BAN CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN OHIO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WHAT THE BILL WOULD DO: Corporal punishment is currently permitted in Ohio public schools if the district board adopts a policy permitting it (R.C.3319.41). The bill amends the current statute to prohibit outright corporal punishment in public schools. It also applies to community schools (R.C.3314.03) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics schools (R.C.326.11). It retains the provision specifically permitting school employees, within the scope of their employment, to use reasonable and necessary force and restraint to protect persons and property, for purposes of self defense, and to obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects.

The bill has joint-co-sponsors from each party, Representative Jon Peterson (R) and Representative Brian Williams (D), both respected members of the Ohio House Education Commitee. For more information contact: info@stophitting.org

Spanking Law Working in NZ
November 28, 2007

An editorial in the New Zealand Herald on ll-25 discusses the first conviction under the New Zealand law banning physical punishment of children and concludes that the law is being applied with wisdom and common sense. It says opponents of the law had predicted dire consequences - that decent "Mums and Dads" would find the state marching through their living rooms. It's not happening the editorial says and opponents need to accept the fact that it is working. See New Zeland Herald, Sunday, November 25, 2007 Contact: EPOCH-USA info@stophitting.org

Uruguay bans all physical punishment of children
November 7, 2007

Uruguay banned all physical punishment of children, even in homes. Twenty nations have banned physical punishment of children to reduce child abuse and to give children the right adults have to be free from physical harm. Twenty five other nations have made formal committments to ban all physical punishment of children.

Contact: EPOCH-USA info@stophitting.org

World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse
November l9, 2007, EPOCH-USA joins the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse

EPOCH-USA invites all U.S. organizations serving chldren and families to join us in observing World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse. The following and additional information about this observance can be found at the website below.

Why a World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse?

Together, let us create a culture of prevention Child abuse, especially sexual abuse, is a universal and alarming problem and increased attention and efficient protection skills and prevention measures are necessary at family-, local-, national- and international level.

After a long tradition of silence, sexual child abuse is being more and more denounced and becoming a public and political topic.

Alerting Governments and civil society organizations to play a more active role in the promotion of and respect for the rights of the child (article 19 and 34* of the Convention on the Rights of the Child), and contribute to the prevention of child abuse, WWSF launched in 2000 the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse, a Day to be commemorated every 19 November in synergy with the anniversary of the International Day for the rights of the child (20 November) which has as its objective to be a rallying point around the issue of child abuse and the need for urgent effective prevention programs.

To make the Day a global call for action, WWSF launched in 2001 an international NGO coalition that marks the World Day with appropriate events and activities to focus on and increase prevention education.

* Art. 19 - States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.

* ART. 34 - States Parties undertake to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. For these purposes, States Parties shall in particular take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent:

(a) the inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity; (b) the exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices; (c) the exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials.

This is from the website http://www.woman.ch/children/1-introduction.php

ARCHBISHOP TUTU CALLS FOR A BAN ON CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OF CHILDREN IN ALL SETTINGS
l0-27-07 South African Parliament debates complete ban

“Violence begets violence and we shall reap the whirlwind. Children can be disciplined without violence,” says Archbishop Desmond Tutu in the Sowetan, a South African newspaper. The South African Parliament has been debating ending all corporal punishment of children. Nineteen countries have banned its use. Two countries, Nepal and Italy, have high court rulings saying it is illegal.

Contact: Center for Effective Discipline info@stophitting.org

Portugal Bans All Physical Punishment of Children
Effective September l5, 2007

Portugal has gone ahead and reformed its criminal code and we can add it to the list of those that have banned! These are the details: Article 152 of the Penal Code has been amended to state: "Whoever repeatedly, or not, inflicts physical or psychological ill-treatment, including corporal punishment, deprivation of liberty and sexual offences, is punished with 1 to 5 years of imprisonment". This was approved by Parliament through Law 59/2007 on September 4 and entered into force September 15 2007 From: www.endcorporalpunishment.org Were does the US Stand?

All US states specifically permit parents to use reasonable corporal punishment of children (except Minnesota). How about the rest of the world?

Twenty countries do not permit its use in families - Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Finland, Germany, Greece, Croatia, Latvia, Cyprus, Iceland, Romania, Ukraine, Hungary, Bulgaria, Italy, Israel, Netherlands and New Zealand. And now we add Portugal!

See www.stophitting.org Center for EFfective Discipline 614-221-8829

New book by Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin Poussaint urges positive discipline methods
September 28, 2007 "Meeting children's violence with violence doesn't help anyone but the bail bondsman" (p. 68).

Bill Cosby and Alvin Poussaint, M.D.: COME ON PEOPLE - On the path from victims to victors. Thomas Nelson, 2007 Dr. Poussaint is an EPOCH-USA Advisory Board member who has often spoken out against physical punishment of children. He is a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Judge Baker Children's center in Boston. Bill Cosby is widely known for shows like I Spy and The Cosby Show.

Their new book provides stirring first-person accounts from people who have rebuilt their lives after experiencing adversity and it gives practical ways for individuals and communities for dealing with the kinds of problems that led to these crises. The book is a result of community call-outs in cities across the country by Poussaint and Cosby . How to raise children in ways that will help them become competent, self-disciplined and loving youth and adults takes a prominent place in book. They say emphatically, 'All black parents can do right by their children, and all black children can succeed". How does that happen? They describe how to be a good teacher and model for children, ways of building strong bodies and minds, how to tune down the violence, community and church interventions, and how to use the media to educate children. About hitting children there are strong words -- "Meeting children's violence with violence doesn't help anyone but the bail bondsman" (p. 68). Rather than waiting for a better future to arrive, the authors suggest all individuals and communities do what they can with the tools that are available to make a brighter future for black youth. It says, "No more excuses, no more delays. Come on people!" Here is the Amazon.com description of the book: http://www.amazon.com/Come-People-Path-Victims-Victors/dp/1595550925 Bill Cosby and Alvin F. Poussaint have a powerful message for families and communities as they lay out their visions for strengthening America, or for that matter the world. They address the crises of people who are stuck because of feelings of low self-esteem, abandonment, anger, fearfulness, sadness, and feelings of being used, undefended and unprotected. These feelings often impede their ability to move forward. The authors aim to help empower people make the daunting transition from victims to victors. Come On, People! is always engaging, and loaded with heart-piercing stories of the problems facing many communities.

Texas boy injured in school paddling
September 27, 2007 Bruising by paddle for wearing wrong shorts in football practice

WEATHERFORD, Texas -- A l2 year-old boy was bruised in a school paddling by a football coach for alledgedly wearing the wrong shorts in football practice. The parents say they were not called before the paddling and the boy was paddled in front of other students. To make matters even more ridiculous, the boy said that he really was wearing the right shorts!

What will happen to the coach? The parents are pursuing it but their chances of getting even an apology are slim.

According NBC5 Police Chief Mark Krey said, "Not only do parents have a right to paddle their children, so do schools". "Yes, the young man is bruised, but it is not of such a nature that I believe criminal charges would be viable." http://www.nbc5i.com/news/14205733/detail.html Center for Effective Discipline www.stophitting.org

New Positive Discipline Book Available
September l8

The Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children and Save the Children Sweden today launched a parenting guide “Positive Discipline: What it is and how to do it". Professor Joan Durrant is the author. See news release http://www.iicrd.org/cap/node/view/1252 Contact: info@stophitting.org for more information

8-21-07 Lorain OH Judge Acquits father of belt beating
Judge condones corporal punishment

Letters to the editor; County Common Pleas Judge James Burge acquited a man whose belt whipping of his son left extensive bruises (Morning Journal, 8-21-07). The comment made by Judge Burge suggesting that the juvenile detention center would not be so full if kids were given more swats needs to be refuted. Physical punishment does not make good citizens. Prisons are full of people who have experienced harsh physical discipline. A number of prison studies including those at the Minnesota State Prison and the Massachusetts Treatment Center for Sexually Dangerous Persons show 60-90 percent of all inmates were abused as children.Incarceration rates are higher in states that allow paddling in schools. Almost 9,000 Ohio children were physically abused in 2005 according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Studies show that 20-50 cases of physical abuse go undetected for each of those confirmed reports.

It was irresponsible of Judge Burge to condone corporal punishment of children. Violence is not the answer. Violence is the problem.

Nadine Block, Executive Director of the Center for Effective Discipline and co-chair of EPOCH-USA 155 W. Main Street #1603, Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 221-8829 www.stophitting.org corporal punishment laws and regulations, status of use, effects, and alternatives This article appeared in the Morning Journal Elyria, OH on August 21, 2007. http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18729883&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46371&rfi=6 The Morning Journal 8-21-07

South Africa considers ban on corporal punishment of children in homes
August 13, 2007 Legislators expected to debate this week

The Children’s Amendment Bill is being supported by groups advocating the ban of corporal punishment of children in homes. Corporal punishment is already banned in schools and in child care. If the South African Parliament bans corporal punishment of children in homes, it will become the l9th country to do so. For further information contact:

Center for Effective Discipline www.stophitting.org info@stophitting.org

Campaign to End All Corporal Punishment of Children in Brazil
June l5, 2007 Announcement from Save the Children Sweden

I am very happy to share with you the news that on June 15 the Brazilian network "Não Bata, Eduque!" (Don´t hit, educate!), of which Save the Children Sweden is a proud member and supporter, launched a national campaign against physical punishment of children in Brasília, the country´s capital. The launch was presented by the network and 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 punishme of children which sits before parliament since 2003, Brazilian celebrity Xuxa Meneghel and several other authorities. Over 100 children involved in the campaign were present. I hope this means Latin America is coming closer to become a "violence-free" continent for all children. Best wishes, Denise Struckenbruck Save the Children Suecia Oficina Regional para América Latina y El Caribe Apartado Postal 14-0393 Lima, Perú Contact: EPOCH-USA for further information at info@stophitting.org

A "BLACK AND BLUE" DAY FOR CALIFORNIA CHILDREN
June 1, 2007

HOW SAD THAT YESTERDAY CALIFORNIA LEGISLATORS FAILED TO PASS A MODEST PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN, ASSEMBLY BILL 755. THE BILL WOULD HAVE MADE IT EASIER TO PROSECUTE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OF CHILDREN, THE LEADING CAUSE OF PHYSICAL ABUSE. SHAME ON CALIFORNIA LEGISLATORS FOR "STANDING DOWN" FOR CHILDREN. THANK YOU TO ASSEMBLY WOMAN SALLY LIEBER FOR BRINGING THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE TO PUBLIC ATTENTION. LET'S HOPE THIS BILL IS REVIVED IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND HAS A BETTER OUTCOME!

NADINE BLOCK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE DISCIPLINE AND CO-CHAIR OF EPOCH-USA 155 W MAIN STREET #1603, COLUMBUS, OH 43215 (614) 221-8829

New Zealand bans corporal punishment of children in homes
May 2 2007, NZ becomes the First English-Speaking Country to Ban All Corporal punishment of Children

New Zealand became the l8th country to ban corporal punishment of children in all settings including homes. A compromise bill removes from the Crimes Act the statutory defense to use "reasonable" force in disciplining children but gives police discretion in enforcing the law and says:

"To avoid doubt it is affirmed that police have the discretion not to prosecute complaints against a parent of a child, or person in the place of a parent of a child, in relation to an offence involving the use of force against a child where the offence is considered to be so inconsequential that there is no public interest in proceeding with a prosecution." From the New Zealand Times Herald:

"Reasonable force" was never intended to cover some of the hidings it has excused. The stormy debate that has accompanied the attempt to expunge the parental defence to assault is in danger of sending a mixed message to abusers. Now it is important that the concluding agreement leaves no doubt that the law will no longer allow children to be beaten by anyone."

Contact Center for EFfective Discipline at info@stophitting.org for further information

2007 KINDNESS TO CHILDREN INDEX
April 30th SpankOut Day USA

SpankOut Day April 30th was initiated by EPOCH-USA to bring attention to the need to end physical punishment of children and to promote non-violent discipline. In observance of SpankOut Day USA April 30th, EPOCH-USA is releasing its 2007 Kindness to Children Index which ranks states according to whether they legally prohibit corporal punishment of children in day care centers, home child care, foster care and schools. How does your state rank in protecting children?

See the Kindness to Children Index at:

http://www.stophitting.com/disathome/2007kindness-to-children-index.php Contact: SpankOut Day Chair Nadine Block at (614)221-8829 or info@stophitting.org

Corporal Punishment Ban Bill Is Introduced in North Carolina
March 14 Wide support for the bill

A big group of parents, teachers, and administrators including the State of North Carolina Superintendent of Schools is supporting a bill introduced today to ban school corporal punishment in North Carolina public Schools.

North Carolina is one of 21 states that allow school children to be struck with paddles for punishment. According to an AP report, forty-seven school districts in North Carolina ban corporal punishment, while it's allowed in 68 districts -- or about 59 percent. See www.stophitting.org LAWS for summaries of laws on school paddling. Center for Effective Discipline (614) 221-8829

Netherlands Bans All Corporal Punishment of Children
March l0 Netherland joins seventeen European countries in bans

On 6 March 2007, a new law prohibiting all corporal punishment by parents and carers was passed in the Senate. The law amends the provisions in the Civil Code on parental authority so that article 1:247 now states (unofficial translation): “(1) Parental authority includes the duty and the right of the parent to care for and raise his or her minor child. (2) Caring for and raising one’s child includes the care and the responsibility for the emotional and physical wellbeing of the child and for his or her safety as well as for the promotion of the development of his or her personality. In the care and upbringing of the child the parents will not use emotional or physical violence or any other humiliating treatment.” Article 1:248 of the Code applies article 1:247 to all other persons acting in loco parentis From: CRIN

California may spare the rod!
January l8, 2007 Bill is being drafted to ban corporal punishment of children up to age 3

California Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, D-Mountain View, is drafting a bill to outlaw spanking of children up to age 3. Sixteen countries have now banned all corporal punishment of children. If Assemblywoman Lieber succeeds, California would be the the first U.S. state to specifically ban hitting of children by parents. California banned corporal punishment in schools in the mid l980's and it is banned in all other child caring facilities there.

Contact: Center for Effective Discipline 614-221-8829

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT BANNED IN UTAH SCHOOLS
January 8, 2007

Under previous law, Utah allowed corporal punishment in schools only when parents requested its use. The state school board banned it entirely as of December l, 2006 under Administrative Rule R277-608. Prohibition of Corporal Punishment in Utah's Public Schools.

As in effect on December 1, 2006. Utah becomes the 29th state to ban its use. Taiwan become the l09th country to ban its use in December, 2006.

Contact the Center for Effective Discipline for further information at 614-221-8829 or info@stophitting.org

Taiwan Becomes the 109th Nation to Ban School Corporal Punishment
December 12, 2006

Taipei, Dec. 12 (CNA) The Legislative Yuan passed an amendment to the Education Basic Law Tuesday, banning any form of corporal punishment in schools and making Taiwan the 109th country in the world to protect students with formal legislation.

Mongolia banned school corporal punishment in early December 2006. Twenty two states still allow corporal punishment in the US. See www.stophitting.org info@stophitting.org

We Don't Hit Animals; Why Do We Hit Children?
November 22, 2006 op ed article, the Baltimore Sun

Law Professor Susan Bitensky notes that we have "dog whisperers" and "horse whisperers" who advise that animals should not be hit. Where are the "child whisperers", she asks in this op-ed piece.

See: The Baltimore Sun article. See Stophitting.org for more about effects of corporal punishment of children and alternatives or contact info@stophitting.org

OK editorial calls for end to school corporal punishment
November 16, 2006

"Schools have alternatives to corporal punishment -- The latest spanking incident in the Muskogee School District provides one good reason to ban corporal punishment at its schools.

But it’s not the only reason, and it’s not the best one.

The parents of an 11-year-old boy filed an assault and battery complaint with Muskogee police after Ed Wallace, principal of Whittier Elementary, swatted the boy earlier this month. The parents’ lawyer claims the boy was battered and he will file a tort claim.

The potential threat of lawsuits is a good reason to ban corporal punishment. Of course, we shouldn’t live in fear of lawsuits if we’re doing what’s right, but teachers and administrators have plenty of other methods of discipline available to them to handle children who misbehave and disrupt classrooms. And other disciplinary methods, such as SAC, timeout and suspension, are just as, or more, effective. Corporal punishment can go wrong, too, in a couple of different ways.

The Whittier incident will have to be sorted out by police and possibly a court, and this is not a comment on what happened there.

But many children are psychologically damaged by corporal punishment, even by the lightest spanking or swatting. What can be done to children psychologically is not worth the temporary gain in submission.

Also, adults can injure children unintentionally because of the size and strength difference. Again, the potential of injury is not worth retaining corporal punishment as an option.

We wouldn’t go so far as to say the United States should adopt a ban on corporal punishment of children in the home as well as in school. Sweden enacted a ban in 1979. Greece approved one last month. The United Nations is advocating a global end to corporal punishment of children.

However, many American parents would do a better job of parenting if they employed other disciplinary methods, and this country wouldn’t have the problem with child abuse it has now if more people were quicker with positive reinforcement and less quick with a switch or the back of a hand."

http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/opinion/local_story_320173728.html?keyword=topstory See www.stophitting.org for US rates of school corporal punishment (discipline in schools)

New York Times - "In Many Public Schools, the Paddle is no relic"
September 30 2006 ---- a summary of school paddling use in the US

New York Times reporter Rick Lyman summarized the use of school corporal punishment in the US and noted that a few school districts have elected to return to its use in his September 30th article. The overwhelming majority of districts that have ended paddling do not return to its use, none of the 22 states which have banned it have re-instated it and the number of students being paddled drops each year.

“I believe we have reached the point in our social evolution where this is no longer acceptable, just as we reached a point in the last half of the 19th century where husbands using corporal punishment on their wives was no longer acceptable,” said Murray Straus, a director of the Family Research Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire (and EPOCH-USA Advisory Board member).

EPOCH-USA takes an uniquivocal stand against corporal punishment of children. The rest of the nation is increasingly unsupportive of such punishment. About 50 national organizations have taken a position against school corporal punishment including the American Medical Association, the American Bar Association, the National PTA, and the National Education Association. Over 20 national African American leaders have called for an end to its use. See www.stophitting.org for more information or contact info@stophitting.org

Rights of the Child - International Document August 2006
Report of the independent expert for the UN study on violence against children

The United Nations study on violence against children has now become a public document on the website noted below. The document will be reviewed, debated and adopted by the UN General Assembly in the next couple of months.

The report comes from Dr. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro who was appointed as an independent expert by the Secretary-General following a 2002 resolution by the General Assembly to provide a global picture of violence against children and to make recommendations. The study is based on governmental responses to a questionnaire generated by the independent expert and a process of national, regional and sub regional consultations, and field visits. The core message of the report is that no violence against children is justified and all violence against children is preventable. See the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child website: http://www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/crc/docs/study/SGSVAC.pdf

OK paddling leads to lawsuit
8-23-06 from the Poteau Daily News

An Oklahoma family is suing Cameron Public Schools and a district baseball coach for a paddling that reportedly left four-inch wide bruises on their son's buttocks. The parents are asking for $10,000 along with reasonable attorney's fees and interest from both Cameron Public Schools and the coach. From the Center for Effective Discipline:

It's back to school time for US children and in twenty-two states, paddling is still allowed. "A few whacks never hurt anyone", some paddling aficionados say. Not true. It can lead to injuries and lawsuits as this case illustrates. See this website for a list of states still allowing this harmful and ineffective practice.

AR School District Paddles for Bullying
7-13-06 Isn't paddling adult bullying? This school board might want to think about the message being sent to students.

http://www.piggotttimes.com/articles/2006/07/12/news/news1.txt Dress Code Amended in Piggott Schools (AR)

"The Board also discussed the Anti-bullying policy. When the policy was drafted, the ramifications of violating it were not spelled out. The Board agreed the first offense should result in a minimum suspension of three days or corporal punishment not exceeding three swats."

Has child abuse increased in Sweden since the ban on corporal punishment of children?
June 12 2006 A matter of interpretation of statistics

Child abuse has not increased in Sweden since the passage of the l979 corporal punishment ban despite periodic news reports to the contrary. The reported increase in child abuse is due to a misinterpretation of assault report statistics. The new law led to more reporting of assault on young children but actual cases involving serious injuries decreased substantially. Dr. Joan Durrant, a child-clinical psychologist and Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba Canada has done extensive research on the effects of the law. She lived in Sweden for extended periods to gain a full understanding of the history, the law and effects of its implementation. She has published in several peer-reviewed journals and has spoken before international legislative bodies. Her studies refute the argument that child abuse has increased For more information, see her response to Dr. Robert Larzelere and the Christian Institute and Families First at: www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/human_ecology/family/Staff/joan_durrant.shtml

SUPREME COURT OF PORTUGAL AFFIRMS RIGHT TO USE PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT ON CHILDREN
May 3, 2006, "Ruling is Shameful" says EPOCH-USA

In a shocking April 2006 verdict, the Supreme Court of Portugal ruled corporal punishment of children with mental disabilities in a children's institution is not illegal. In the ruling it said that slaps and spankings are not only "legal" and "acceptable," but also that failure to use these methods of punishment could amount to "educational neglect." "It is outrageous to allow, and even essentially promote physical punishment of children with disabilties," said Nadine Block, EPOCH-USA co-chair. EPOCH-USA had previously relied on The Council of Europe Committee on Social Rights determination that Portugal prohibits all physical punishment of children. Our website is being updated to remove Portugal from the list of countries prohibiting all physical punishment of children. This leaves l6 nations with bans on all physical punishment of children.

See www.stophitting.org (LAWS)

EPOCH-USA (614)221-8829

SpankOut Day April 30th
Raising good kids without hitting

SpankOut Day April 30th was initiated in l998 by EPOCH-USA to bring widespread attention to the need to end physical punishment of children and to provide educational information about discipline alternatives to parents and caregivers. Adults have the legal right to be free from physical harm. Children are poorly protected by laws. Billions of dollars are spent on child abuse prevention and treatment and children continue to fall through the cracks of institutions designed to protect them. Over 500 informational events and programs on positive discipline/no spanking of children have been held in the U.S. in observance of SpankOut Day since l998. The observance has spread to other countries where it is sometimes called "no hitting day", "no smacking day" or "day of non-violence for children".

What's happening on SpankOut Day April 30th? See: 2006 SpankOut Day events plus a SpankOut Day Tool Kit and lots of ideas about how to have a successful SpankOut Day Event. http://www.stophitting.org/spankOut/2006SpankOutDayEvents.php Contact:

Nadine Block, SpankOut Day Chair at (614)221-8829 or info@stophitting.org www.stophitting.org

Bring back the board in Delaware?
March 23, 2006 - a bill is introduced to allow school corporal punishment

Legislation that would permit corporal punishment if authorized by parents was introduced today in the Delaware House of Representatives (HB 376). Corporal punishment has been banned in Delaware public schools since 2003. The likelihood of overturning the ban is small. Senator David Sokola whose bill banned the board as an instrument of discipline in 2003, promised a big fight if there is any sign that the bill would advance in the legislature.

Center for Effective Discipline Tel: (614)221-8829 Nadine Block, Executive Director

John Rosemond calls for ban on school corporal punishment
3-10-06 Several newspapers carry article originally published in the Charlotte Observer (NC)

Hats off to John Rosemond for making such cogent arguments against corporal punishment in schools. Over 50 national organizations have studied this issue and concluded, as he has, that such a practice is without support of research, sometimes leads to injuries of students and lawsuits against school personnel, and is used in an inequitable manner against certain groups including minorities. Over 20 African American leaders have called for an immediate end to school corporal punishment. See this website for more information on these topics and why Dr. Rosemond should support education and legal reforms to end all corporal punishment of children, not just corporal punishment in schools.

Nadine Block, Director of the Center for Effective Discipline (614)221-8829

Cincinnanti OH father found not guilty in belt whipping injuries to his son
February 18, 2006

A Cincinnati Judge found a former city councilman not guilty of domestic violence for his son's belt whipping which left bruises taking months to heal. Three cases of belt whippings of children have made news in Cincinnati in the past year including a death of a three-year old as a result of such discipline. See Cincinnati Enquirer story at:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060218/NEWS01/602180349/1077 The following was part of a letter sent to the Cincinnati Enquirer by Nadine Block, Executive Director of the Center for Efffective Discipline:

"Ohio’s laws fail to protect children. You cannot hit your spouse, your neighbor or even your neighbor’s dog but you can beat your child almost to death in Ohio. Ohio law permits corporal punishment unless it puts the child at risk of death, causes serious physical injury or results in substantial pain. This case didn’t cross that line according to the judge's ruling. There are many cases that are so severe as to cross the line. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services 47,444 Ohio children were substantiated victims of child abuse and neglect in 2003 and there were 68 fatalities. Physical abuse makes up about 25% of child abuse and neglect figures. Imagine how many children have been subjected to beatings that are not reported or not substantiated under our laws as the belt beating case in Cincinnati? A study showed that mothers reported physical abuse at a rate 40 times higher than official reports. We should be outraged at the inhumane treatment of children in this country."

Center for Effective Discipline (614)221-8829

Plano TX school board bans corporal punishment
February 15, 2006 Corporal punishment use continues to decline in schools

School corporal punishment continues to decline in acceptance and use in the U.S. One of the largest school districts in the country, Plano Independent School District in Texas,banned its use this month. Among the l00 largest school districts, 10,045,925 students are now protected from corporal punishment. In the largest school districts allowing corporal punishment, 428,711 students are subject to the paddle. School corporal punishment in U.S. schools declined by l2 percent between 2000-2003 (US Department of Education); the state of Pennsylvania banned it in public schools in December 2006 and more school districts like the Plano Independent School District are banning its use. The "Board of Education" is on its way out of schools!

Nadine Block, Executive Director of the Center for Effective Discipline (614)221-8829

Plano TX School Board set to ban corporal punishment
January 16 2006

One of the nation's largest school districts is voting to ban corporal punishment this week. The district schools had not used corporal punishment in some time. "It's important to get it off the books," said Nadine Block, Director of the Center for Effective Discipline, a non-profit organization which provides information about effects of corporal punishment and alternatives. "Even if corporal punishment is not used in practice, it is important to reflect that in policy, she said. Otherwise, practice could easily change with new administrators" (Dallas Morning News, January 16). For further information, contact info@stophitting.org

Pennsylvania bans corporal punishment in public schools
December 3, 2005

As of December 3, 2005, Pennsylvania joined the majority of other states that have banned the use of corporal punishment in their public schools. The regulation was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. It takes effect immediately. Here's the link:

http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol35/35-49/2198.html For further information, contact the Center for Effective Discipline info@stophitting.org

US Department of Education Releases Paddling Data for 2002
November 9, 2005

The Elementary and Secondary School Survey data for 2002 was released by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights on November 9, 2005. Paddling numbers have fallen again in U.S. schools. Almost 40,000 fewer students were paddled than in the 2000 report. Check the following link for paddling data on U.S.school districts:

http://205.207.175.84/ocr2002r/

NC Editorial calls for school paddling ban
October 17, 2005

Letter to the editor of the Robesonian:

Editorial calling for a ban on corporal punishment in Robeson County NC Schools http://www.robesonian.com/articles/2005/10/17/news/editorials/editorial02.txt Letter to Editor Monday October l7, 2005 "Risky Business"

Thank you to the Robesonian for supporting a ban on corporal punishment in the public schools of Robeson County.

Corporal punishment is risky and can lead to lawsuits against educators and school boards for student injuries. It's also ineffective. The same students are hit over and over, often for trivial reasons. It communicates but not what the paddler thinks is being communicated. It tells children that it is OK to hit someone smaller and weaker if they are doing something you don't like. Researchers say that children who are frequently hit often grow up to hit their own children and their spouses. Paddling is a generational legacy of pain. It has no place in schools. Nadine Block, Executive Director of the Center for Effective Discipline and co-chair of EPOCH-USA 155 W. Main Street #1603, Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 221-8829 www.stophitting.org corporal punishment laws and regulations, status of use, effects, and alternatives

Pennsylvania Public Schools Corporal Punishment Ban Expected Soon
October 9, 2005 The Paddle is being expelled!

On October 6, the PA Independent Regulatory Review Committee by a 5-0 vote approved a State Board of Education regulation banning corporal punishment in public schools. The regulations go into effect immediately after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin which is expected in November. Much of the credit for this victory for PA school children goes to Edith Isacke, a PA school board member who persevered for more than two years in getting the regulation approved through a difficult regulatory process.

Nadine Block, Executive Director CED info@stophitting.org

School Discipline Problems Down in Memphis
September 23 2005

The corporal punishment ban in Memphis City Schools is reaping rewards! See these quotes from the Memphis Flyer:

"Figures comparing the first 20 days of the new school year to last school year were encouraging. Fights decreased 40 percent; officer referrals dropped 34 percent; and district suspensions decreased 57 percent"

Says Superintendent Johnson in the article:

"What we're trying to do is get people to think differently about dealing with children," Johnson said. "In the past, our way of trying to do that was to put out the bad kids, just put out those kids who won't do what you want them to do, but we can't afford to do that. They're part of our citizenry and our community." See the Memphis Flyer: http://www.memphisflyer.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A10162 Center For Effective Discipline (614)221-8829

PA House Education Committee to Hear Corporal Punishment Ban Regulation
Hearing scheduled for September 28, 9:00 am

September 21, 2005 The PA State Board of Education has had a regulation to ban corporal punishment in schools in the regulatory process for over two years. It was in the PA House Education Committee in February 05 when the Board withdrew the regulation after questions from the Committee. The PA State Board of Education has resubmitted the regulation and a hearing is scheduled in the PA House Education Committee on September 28, 2005 at 9:00 am.

House Education Committee The Honorable Jess Stairs Chair, House Education Committee PA House of Representatives 43A East Wing Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020 EMAIL: jstairs@pahousegop.com The Honorable James Roebuck Democratic Chair, House Education Committee PA House of Representatives Room 210 IOB Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020 EMAIL: jroebuck@pahouse.net Senate Education Committee The Honorable James Rhoades Chair, Senate Education Committee Senate of Pennsylvania Senate Box 203029 Harrisburg, PA 17120 EMAIL:jrhoades@pasen.gov The Honorable Raphael Musto Democratic Chair, Senate Education Committee Senate of Pennsylvania Senate Box 203014 Harrisburg, PA 17120 E-MAIL: musto@pasenate.com Independent Regulatory Review Commission Independent Regulatory Review Commission 333 Market Street, 14th floor Harrisburg, PA 17101 EMAIL: IRRC@irrc.state.pa.us Contact: Nadine Block at info@stophitting.org

Federal Suit Filed in Texas Paddling Case
September 8, 2005

Two paddling incidents in a Texas school district have led to a federal suit alleging school officials abused a student and violated his civil rights. Groveton ISD TX School District is the target of a suit by parents of Justin Michael Causby. The Center for Effective Discipline supports the actions of the Causby family calling school corporal punishment a thoroughly discredited form of discipline with a serious risk of danger to students. It is been abolished in almost l00 countries and is increasingly being banned in the United States.

Nadine Block, Director, Center for Effective Discipline info@stophitting.org

U.S. citizens say "no" school corporal punishment
August 27, 2005

A new U.S. survey shows 77% of respondents say "NO" to the question "Is it OK for a teacher to spank a student?"

School paddling is a legal barbarism that almost l00 nations have banned! In the past year, Dallas ISD, Memphis TN Schools, and Duval County FL (Jacksonville) Schools banned it. In a majority of states, state legislators have banned it and legislators in several paddling states have told us they plan to introduce bills to ban it next year. It leads to injuries of students and lawsuits . There is no research to show that it improves behavior or learning, in fact the research shows the opposite. Top hitting states are: Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Missouri and New Mexico. (U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, 2000) Contact us for more information: info@stophitting.org SurveyUSA: Red & Blue States Differ On Black & Blue Bottoms VERONA, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 24, 2005--Red States and Blue States differ on the right way to discipline a child, according to the results of 50 separate but concurrent statewide public opinion polls conducted by SurveyUSA for its media clients across the country. Question: "Do you think it is OK for a school teacher to spank a student?" -- 53% in Arkansas and Mississippi say "Yes" (highest in the nation). -- 8% in New Hampshire say "Yes" (lowest in the nation). -- Top 25 States are all "Red" States. -- Average "Yes" for entire USA: 23%. Answers: http://www.surveyusa.com/50StateDisciplineChild0805SortedbyTeacher.htm More about the survey can be found here.

Nadine Block, Executive Director Center for Effective Discipline (614)221-8829

WACO TX ISD bans school paddling
8-22-05 New TX law may prohibit paddling

Waco Board ban of corporal punishment http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2005/08/22/20050822wacspankinglaw.html Dear Editor; Waco ISD school board members banned corporal punishment because they are unsure whether a new state law which seemed to encourage spanking might actually prohibit paddling in schools. This is a good opportunity for the district to find out if they can get along without corporal punishment. More and more school districts are banning it with good results. Memphis TN City Schools banned corporal punishment a year ago. A recent report to the school board showed 91 schools that stopped paddling last year and relied more on counseling students who had discipline problems saw a drop in office referrals by roughly 30,000, and suspensions dropped by nearly 20,000 in 104 schools! Dallas ISD and Duval County Florida (Jacksonville), banned paddling this past year. Both are among the nation's largest school districts. School boards are banning corporal punishment because it leads to injuries of students and lawsuits, because it is used disproportionately on boys, poor children, children with disabilities and minorities, and because it doesn't work in teaching kids better behavior in the long run. Don't rush to put paddling back in Waco. Better alternatives exist to help students become caring, responsible and productive citizens.

Nadine Block, Executive Director of the Center for Effective Discipline and co-chair of EPOCH-USA 155 W. Main Street #1603, Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 221-8829 www.stophitting.org corporal punishment laws and regulations, status of use, effects, and alternatives

Don't children deserve the same right to be free from physical harm?
Letter to the Chicago Sun Times August l3th, 2005

Response to the article " Protecting Elephants From Pain and Illness"

Dear Editor; A proposed elephant protection ordinance in Chicago would protect zoo elephants from bullhooks or other forms of corporal punishment. In 2003, a circus handler was fired who hit an 8,000 pound elephant twice with a broom handle and the circus paid a fine for improper handling of an elephant to the USDA. Protecting elephants from such treatment has been shown to lead to better health and well-being. According to the U.S Department of Education, over 340,000 school children were hit with boards l8 to 24 inches long in 2000. The boards are much sturdier and more dangerous than broom handles. Illinois public schools ban corporal punishment but twenty-two states still allow its use. The top-hitting states are Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee and Oklahoma. About 74,000 students were paddled in Texas in 2,000. Elephants are better protected than children in those states.

Don't school children deserve the same protection from being hit that elephants receive?

Nadine Block, Executive Director of the Center for Effective Discipline and co-chair of EPOCH-USA See article: http://www.suntimes.com/output/otherviews/cst-edt-ref13a.html

WHO says violence against children must end
July 15, 2005

The World Health Organization is planning to come out against corporal punishment of children and will say that violence against children is a predictable and preventable health problem. http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/331/7509/129 Where is the U.S. in making the banning of corporal punishment of children a top priority? Dr. Pinheiro, representing UNICEF, presided over the North America Regional Consultation on Violence Against Children in Toronto this summer. The issue of corporal punishment wasn't as dominant a factor at this conference that it has been elsewhere. In other regions of the world where violence against children has been discussed through this initiative, ending corporal punishment of children has been seen as a necessary way of ending violence against children.... reducing child abuse and affording children the right to physical integrity that adults enjoy.

"In many countries, cats and dogs have more rights than children,” says Paolo Sergio Pinheiro, a Brazilian lawyer and child rights expert coordinating the UN report. “We cannot wait another generation to change policy on this.” (article above)

Are we one of those countries?

Nadine Block, Executive Director Center for Effective Discipline and co-chair of EPOCH-USA

Time to end paddling in Montgomery AL
July ll, 2005 Letter to Editor of the Montomery AL newspaper

The 2003-04 accountability report just released for the Montgomery City Schools showed that corporal punishment, suspensions and expulsions are up. (www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/NEWSV5/indexMontgomery.htm). Superintendent Purcell made a number of recommendations and said it was critical that the school system re-examine student discipline. In examining student discipline, the school board should look at ending the use of school corporal punishment, a practice that leads to injuries, lawsuits against school districts, and which is disproportionately used on poor children, children with disabilities, boys and minorities. Twenty eight states now ban corporal punishment. Memphis, Dallas and Duval County (Jacksonville) Florida schools banned corporal punishment within the last year. Only a handful of the nation's l00 largest schools allow its use.

In Memphis, a recent report to the school board showed 91 schools that stopped paddling last school year and relied more on counseling students who had discipline problems saw a drop in office referrals by roughly 30,000. Suspensions dropped by nearly 20,000 in 104 schools (Memphis Commercial Appeal, June 8 2005). Banning corporal punishment would a great place to begin to create a kinder, safer and more orderly school environment in Montgomery! Nadine Block, Executive Director of the Center for Effective Discipline and co-chair of EPOCH-USA 155 W. Main Street #1603, Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 221-8829 www.stophitting.org corporal punishment laws and regulations, status of use, effects, and alternatives

Letter to MA legislators on HB 1787 June 6, 2005
Bill would end corporal punishment of children

Please favorably consider HB 1787 to prohibit all willful corporal punishment of children by adults. It is an important bill that deserves serious consideration. Corporal punishment of children is a hidden violence because it is often not defined as such. About 25 percent of substantiated child abuse and neglect numbers are due to physical abuse usually beginning as “discipline”. That amounts to 250,000 to 300,000 children a year in the U.S. More than a thousand children are killed through abuse, the majority of them under four years of age.

Physical abuse of children is a costly societal problem. Billions of dollars are spent on child abuse prevention. The number of child abused and neglected annually remains high. Many child abuse prevention experts say ending corporal punishment of children is an essential strategy for reducing physical abuse Another imperative for ending corporal punishment of children is that of fundamental human rights. Children should have the same right to physical integrity and freedom from violence that adults enjoy.

It is right and proper that children should be protected. Please vote YES on HB l787.

See www.stophitting.org For information about corporal punishment laws, effects and alternatives.

Portugal and Italy are added to list of countries prohibiting all corporal punishment of children

The European Committee on Social Rights has confirmed that supreme court judgments in Italy (l996) and Portugal (2004) prohibit all corporal punishment of children. The Council of Europe announced this on June 8th along with several other landmark human rights decisions. One-third of European countries now prohibit all corporal punishment of children. For more information contact the Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children Tony Samphier or Peter Newell +44 208 889 9034 in the UK.

Duval County (FL) School Board Bans Corporal Punishment
The vote took place June 7, 2005

Students in Duval County Schools can say goodbye to the "board of education". The Duval County Board of Education banned corporal punishment by a unanimous vote. Educators in Duval County Schools paddled the most students of any district in Florida in 2003-2004. The principals were divided on whether paddling should be banned. The Board found that almost 80 percent of the paddlings were to black students. Besides the inequities in paddlings, the Board was concerned about possible litigation for paddling injuries.

EPOCH-USA meets to set goals for ending physical punishment of children
U.S. researchers, legal scholars, educators and child abuse prevention experts meet May 21 and 22 2005 in Columbus Ohio

In every community in this country children are injured and sometimes killed each day by "discipline". In Ohio in 2003, 95,000 children were reported as abused and neglected. Twenty to twenty-five percent of these reports throughout the country are for physical abuse, usually beginning with physical punishment (corporal punishment).

EPOCH-USA co-chair Nadine Block says, "Child abuse costs this country billions of dollars each year in prevention and treatment costs. Child abuse reports continue to rise. Fifteen hundred U.S. children die each year from abuse and neglect. Children fall between the cracks of institutions designed to protect them. What we are doing isn't achieving the kind of success that we need. EPOCH-USA takes an unequivocal stand against physical punishment of children and continues to educate the public on effects of physical punishment and alternatives."

LA Parents Complain About Racial Inequities In Use Corporal Punishment
Letter to the Editor of the Daily World -article of 5-5-05

Some parents at Palmetto Elementary School are complaining about disciplinary practices in the school and alleging that discipline, including corporal punishment, is dispensed differently depending upon the race of the child. Surveys on use of corporal punishment in U.S. schools done by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights show that children with disabilities, poor children, and minority children are hit at rates two-three times higher than other children. There is more that is wrong with school corporal punishment than the seeming inequities in its use. Corporal punishment is often used on the same children over and over. It contributes to a cycle of child abuse by teaching that big folks can hit little folks. It is ineffective in teaching appropriate behavior in the long term. Dr. Alvin Poussaint, a professor of Psychiatry at the Harvard University Medical School and an EPOCH-USA Advisory Board member has been instrumental in getting African American leaders to call for an end to school corporal punishment. Leaders of the NAACP, the Urban League, National Medical Association and others have signed a proclamation calling for an end to its use. The proclamation states in part, "we urge all school boards to ban corporal punishment and we urge state legislators in all states allowing its use to pass legislation ending school corporal punishment".http://www.stophitting.org/disatschool/aaLeadsBanCP.php One mother was quoted in the article saying if parents bruise their children, they can be charged with cruelty to a juvenile and asking why educators are allowed to do that. Parents at Palmetto Elementary School can write a letter instructing administrators that their children should not receive corporal punishment. They should do that. They should also follow the proclamation of African American leaders and get the school board to ban corporal punishment immediately.

Nadine Block, Executive Director of the Center for Effective Discipline and co-chair of EPOCH-USA 155 W. Main Street #1603, Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 221-8829

Texas school paddling bill set for hearing May 3 2005

release from People Opposed to Paddling Students:

HB 2413 sponsored by Rep. Alma Allen which will abolish school paddling is set for a hearing before the House Public Education Committee, Tues. May 3, 2pm in room E2.036 of the capitol in Austin.

We must end this legalized child abuse in our schools which also promotes more child abuse in Texas homes. 28 states have put away the paddles. A large number of organization are opposed to corporal punishment in the schools. It is time for Texas to stop abusing it's school children.

Jimmy Dunne, People Opposed to Paddling Students, Houston, 281.584.9707 281.584.9707 cell for Tues. 281.250.0096

SPANKOUT DAY APRIL 30TH IS DEDICATED TO POSITIVE DISCIPLINE OF CHILDREN

APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH. Most physical abuse of children begins as "discipline". "Children are often hit for misbehavior. It is illegal to hit adults. We cannot hit people in the military, prisoners, people in mental institutions, our spouses, a neighbor or a neighbor’s dog", says EPOCH-USA co-chair Nadine Block. "Thirteen nations have banned all corporal punishment of children including that in homes.Corporal punishment is unsupported by research, sometimes leads to injury, alienates caregivers and children and contributes to the cycle of child abuse by teaching children that it is OK to hit people who are smaller and weaker", she says.

EPOCH-USA (End Physical Punishment of Children) is asking parents and other caregivers of children to recognize SpankOut Day USA “Raising Good Kids Without Hitting” on April 30th by not using corporal punishment on children and by using childrearing practices that help develop caring, responsible, and self-disciplined adults. EPOCH-USA thanks parents who do not use corporal punishment.

Dozens of organizations and individuals are providing informational programs on effects of corporal punishment and alternatives during the last week of April in observance of SpankOut Day April 30th. See: http://www.stophitting.org/spankOut/events.php WHAT IS CORPORAL PUNISHMENT? “Corporal Punishment” is the intentional infliction of physical pain for preventing or stopping misbehavior. It includes such actions as spanking, paddling, and pinching. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF SPANKOUT DAY? “Educating parents about effective discipline strategies and informing them about the effects of corporal punishment will lead to the use of more effective and safer discipline for children,” said Nadine Block, Founder and Chair of SpankOut Day USA. “We thank all of the organizations and individuals planning educational events on SpankOut Day April 30th for helping to make this a more peaceful world for families”. See more about SpankOut Day USA at: http://www.stophitting.org/spankOut/ What is EPOCH-USA?

EPOCH-USA is part of a multi-national federation of organizations which seek to eliminate corporal punishment of children through education and legal means. EPOCH-USA is a program of the Center for Effective Discipline, a non-profit organization which provides information about the effects of corporal punishment of children and alternatives to its use. For more information about EPOCH –USA, see http://www.stophitting.org/disathome/

SPANKOUT DAY USA APRIL 30TH ART CONTEST FOR CHILDREN
EPOCH USA SPONSORS ART CONTEST FOR CHILDREN

Art contest for children for SpankOut Day and National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Find out about it on this link:

http://www.stophitting.com/disathome/voicesofchildren.php PRIZES: First place: $100 Second place (2) $75 Third place (2) $50 Pass on this information to friends, colleagues and family.

If you have questions:

Nadine Block, Executive Director of the Center for Effective Discipline and co-chair of EPOCH-USA 155 W. Main Street #1603, Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 221-8829 www.stophitting.org corporal punishment laws and regulations, status of use, effects, and alternatives

DALLAS IINDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BANS PADDLING 3-31-05

The Dallas Independent School District (DISD)Board of Trustees voted to ban school corporal punishment in the district. The vote was 7-0. Trustee Ken Zornes led the effort to end paddling in the district. DISD among the l00 largest school districts in the nation.

Dallas Independent School District Board to vote on corporal punishment ban
Vote scheduled for 3-31-05

Forty years ago, Doyle Weaver of Dallas, TX wrote his first letter to the Dallas Independent School District (DISD)asking for a ban on school paddling. Today, the Board of Trustees of DISD will vote on a ban. Doyle notes that 28 years ago a nationwide study by Dr. David Gil found Texas to be more abusive to children than any other state. He notes that this has not changed. In 2004, 204 children died from child abuse and neglect in Texas, up ll percent from the previous year. "The schools should take a leading role in educating parents and the public about the dangers and mishaps of corporal punishment," Mr Weaver wrote to DISD Board President Dr. Lois Parrott (3-31). "For the schools themselves to continue hitting students is a dangerous and unwise choice," he continued. Mr. Weaver is hoping to see the DISD ban corporal punishment at last on this date.

Texas SpankOut Day is April 11
Rally on Capitol steps is planned

A rally/press conference is planned on the Texas Capitol steps on April ll from ll:30 to l pm to support HB 2413 which would ban corporal punishment in Texas public schools. Representative Alma Allen, sponsor of the bill, will speak. Parents, teachers and children will attend to talk about the effects of corporal punishment in schools and the need to ban its use. Jimmy Dunne of People Opposed to Paddling Students is coordinating the event. See www.nospankingzone.org Many other SpankOut Day events are scheduled throughout the US on April 30th.

PA State Board of Education withdraws corporal punishment ban regulation
House of Representative's Education Committee raises issues about the proposed ban on 2-23-05

The PA State Board of Education withdrew its proposed ban on corporal punishment in public schools after a contentious meeting of the PA House Education Committee re: Chapter l2 regulations including a corporal punishment ban which had been proposed by the State Board. Some Representatives who opposed the ban said that they did not believe the Board had the authority to ban corporal punishment and questioned whether corporal punishment applied to athletics. Edith Isacke, the State Board member leading the effort to ban school corporal punishment said the Board would address those issues in new language to be submitted to the Education Committee at a later date.

PA House Education Hearings on school corporal punishment ban planned
Hearings scheduled for February 23, 2005

The PA House Education Committee will be holding a hearing on February 23 2005 at 9:00 a.m. to review and act upon the State Board of Education proposed Chapter l2 regulations including a ban on school corporal punishment. Here is contact information for the committee. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/representatives_sc.cfm#edu The Independent Regulatory Review Commission is planning to review and act on these regulations on March 10. "Pennsylvania would be the 29th state to ban school corporal punishment. Almost l00 nations ban its use. Only a handful of 100 largest US school districts still allow it. It's time to send the paddle to the 'woodshed' in PA", said Nadine Block, Director of the Center for Effective Discipline, www.stophitting.org

IN HB 1166 Would Ban Corporal Punishment in Indiana Public Schools
January 26, 2005

Indiana Representative David Orentlicher (D-Indianaplis) has introduced a bill which would ban corporal punishment in Indiana public schools. It has been assigned to the House of Representatives Committee on Education. In the 99-2000 school year, 2,221 students were hit by educators in Indiana public schools according to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (latest stats available). The bill can be downloaded from the Indiana government website.

Bills to ban school corporal punishment are expected to be introduced in Texas and Missouri. The Pennsylvania State Board of Education unanimously voted to ban corporal punishment through the regulatory process and that process is expected to be completed in the next six months.

Letter to editor - San Antonio paddling
18 year old girl sues charter school over beating

Article at: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA011205.paddlesuit.online.a132a69c.html Letter to the editor:

It is unfortunate that another youth has been injured in a school paddling. The l8 year old girl whose attorneys filed a personal injury assault for the beating she took from a four-foot long paddle at the hands of her principal at the School of Excellence in Education will hopefully win in court. The educators should be ashamed for beating an eighteen year old girl to a point of bleeding. One would think a “school of excellence” would be using evidence-based educational practices, not outdated, harmful, ineffective practices like beating youth with boards. Twenty eight states ban school corporal punishment. All but a handful of the l00 largest school districts in the nation ban its use. Over l00 nations ban it. About 20 of our nation’s most prominent African American leaders including Kweisi Mfume, Reverend Jesse Jackson and Marion Wright Edelman have called on all school boards and all state legislatures to ban school corporal punishment immediately. (see http://stophitting.org/disatschool/aaLeadsBanCP.php )

Texas educators hit almost 25 percent of all the children paddled in the US according to a survey by the US Department of Education office of Civil Rights (2000). About 74,000 children in Texas were hit in that year. It’s time to ban paddling in all school districts in Texas including the School of Excellence in Education. Nadine Block, Director of the Center for Effective Discipline, 155 W. Main Street #1603, Columbus, OH 43215 (614)221-8829

Bill broadening civil immunity for school discipline injuries fails
Ohio HB 265 dies as Senate adjourns 12-09

OH HB 265 died today as the Senate adjourned. HB 265 provided civil immunity to a broad range of school employees and all school boards in OH for discipline injuries to students that do not reach a level of endangerment (a high level of harm usually involving permanent injury). A Toledo Blade editorial called the bill "a solution looking for a problem" as there was no evidence that frivolous lawsuits are a problem for school employees. Seven states already have similar laws that take away parents' rights to protect their children and leave no one responsible for discipline injuries. The OH bill was especially worrisome because of the range of school employees covered who would be immune from civil liability. The bill passed the House by an overwhelming majority in May and was assigned to the Judiciary Committee of the Senate. Almost 20 non-profit organizations in OH fought the bill. The Judiciary Committee did not hear the bill and it died at the end of session.

WORLD DAY FOR PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE

WORLD DAY FOR PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE NOVEMBER 19, 2004 SEE RELEASE BELOW

WORLD DAY FOR PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE
November 19, 2005

Contact: World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse http://www.woman.ch/ wwsf_children [dignity@vtxnet.ch] WWSF Women’s World Summit Foundation tel: +41 (0)22 738 66 19 Laure Maitrejean, Children’s Section Coordinator

U.S. Contacts: EPOCH-USA (End Physical Punishment of Children) (614)221-8829 www.stophitting.org Nadine Block, Co-chair nblock@infinet.com Dr. Madeleine Gomez, EPOCH-USA Advisory Board mgomez@psychealthltd.com

Columbus, OH...EPOCH-USA ANNOUNCES "VOICES OF CHILDREN" an ART CONTEST for children in honor of the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse.

EPOCH-USA recognizes World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse by launching VOICES for CHILDREN, an Art Contest where children can draw and paint about "How corporal punishment (paddling, whooping, spanking by an adult) makes children feel". Children age 6-12 are eligible for cash prizes. Most physical abuse of children begins with discipline. EPOCH-USA (End Physical Punishment of Children) provides information about the effects of corporal punishment of children and alternatives.

Over 450 organizations throughout the world are observing a World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse November l9th and planning activities to bring attention to the need for effective child abuse prevention measures. The Women’s World Summit Foundation in Geneva, Switzerland is sponsoring a World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse.

Each day an average of three U.S. children die as the result of child maltreatment in the United States. Thousands more are found to be abused or neglected in some form. Most physical abuse begins as corporal punishment. Over l00 nations have abolished corporal punishment in schools. Thirteen nations do not allow children to be hit in any setting. EPOCH-USA (End Physical Punishment of Children) provides information about the effects of corporal punishment of children and alternatives.

"There are so many wonderful ways that humans can express themselves. Hitting is not one of them. Art, however, is a very powerful communication. Children's art is among the purest and most beautiful expressions," says Dr. Madeleine Gomez of EPOCH-USA. "We hope that through EPOCH-USA's ‘Voices of Children’ art contest that children will share and help us see their true feelings. Through art, they will touch and affect us all. We want to encourage children to express themselves so that we can make the world a safer and more beautiful place for all," says Dr. Gomez.

http://www.stophitting.com/disathome/voicesofchildren.php

AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERS CALL ON THE MEMPHIS CITY SCHOOL BOARD TO BAN PADDLING
Memphis City School Board to vote on paddling issue October 18 04

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS...Dr. Alvin Poussaint, a Professor Psychiatry at Harvard University and the Judge Baker Children’s Center in Boston, known to many Americans for his work on the Cosby Show, is one of several African American leaders calling on the Memphis City School Board to ban corporal punishment and asking Memphis citizens to support the ban.

"In 2003-04, 13,804 students were paddled almost 30,000 times in the Memphis City Schools. They were overwhelmingly African American students and overwhelmingly males," said Dr. Pousssaint. "This is outrageous and must stop. African American students are being hit at 2-5 times the rate of other children. Corporal punishment does not prevent misbehavior. The same kids are hit over and over. The more children are hit, the more likely they are to be aggressive and violent. It is a factor in creating violence in our communities," he said.

Prominent African American leaders have joined Dr. Poussaint in asking all school boards and all state legislatures to ban school corporal punishment immediately. African American leaders who have joined Dr. Poussaint in calling for a ban on school corporal punishment include:

Julian Bond, Chairman of the Board of NAACP Kweisi Mfume, President and CEO of NAACP Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., Founder and President of PUSH/EXCEL Marc Morial , President, CEO of the Urban League The National Medical Association and its President, Dr. Winston Price, have joined Dr. Poussaint’s initiative. "Members of the Memphis City School Board have an opportunity to correct an injustice and to teach children that the way to solve problems does not involve violence by adults," said Dr. Poussaint.

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT CAN LEAD TO MORE BAD BEHAVIOR BY CHILDREN
U.M. STUDY LENDS SUPPORT FOR ENDING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

SEPTEMBER 10, 2004 "Even minimal amounts of spanking can lead to an increased likelihood in anti-social behavior of children", said Andrew Grogan-Kaylor, a University of Michigan assistant professor of social work, in a study published in the September issue of Social Work Research. The methodically rigorous study analyzed data from more than l800 children in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. See Child Health News http://www.news-medical.net/?id=4687

July 2004
Children Unbeatable! Alliance is seeking a smacking ban

The UK Children Are Unbeatable! Alliance composed of more than 350 organizations is campaigning to have the government remove the "reasonable chastisement defence" so children will achieve equal protection under the law on assault. See latest happenings on the Alliance’s website: http://www.childrenareunbeatable.org.uk/

UK CAMPAIGN TO END ALL CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OF CHILDREN www.endcorporalpunishment.org
Briefing on House of Lords Proposal 7-04 as received from Peter Newell of End All Corporal Punishment

BRIEFING ON LORD LESTER’S REVISED NEW CLAUSE – AMENDMENT 106B No equal protection – common assault of a child would be justified as "lawful punishment" Lord Lester’s New Clause (see text below) does not give children equal protection: it condones hitting and hurting children as lawful punishment. It leaves the defence intact in relation to common assault. It thus highlights the lack of equal protection for children and violates the established human rights standards. It stops professionals promoting a clear message that hitting children is unlawful and perpetuates dangerous confusion for parents. It can, and no doubt will, be promoted as "carry on smacking".

The current charging standards agreed between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (1996; under review) state that common assault will be the appropriate charge "where injuries amount to no more than the following: grazes, scratches, abrasions, minor bruising and swellings, reddening of the skin, superficial cuts or a black eye". The law protects all adults from all forms of assault, except reasonable force used in self defence or to protect someone else. No-one has a "right" to hit another adult as a punishment. This proposal would confirm that children are the only group whom adults can justifiably hit or hurt as a form of punishment. If a parent used the defence of "reasonable chastisement" to a charge of common assault, it would be up to the prosecution to prove it was not lawful punishment.

In contrast, the "equal protection" new clause (amendment no.106) gives children the same protection as adults from being hit, while preserving parents’ necessary rights to use "reasonable force" to protect and restrain. Lord Lester’s "inequality" clause removes the defence only in relation to offences of:

• wounding and causing grievous bodily harm: where there was evidence of this scale of injury – broken bones, permanent disability, substantial loss of blood etc - it is clear that no court would nowadays accept a defence of lawful punishment; • assault occasioning actual bodily harm: the Charging Standard suggests that this offence involves injuries such as loss or breaking of a tooth; temporary loss of sensory functions including loss of consciousness; extensive or multiple bruising; displaced broken nose; minor fractures; minor cuts requiring medical treatment (eg stitches); and psychiatric injury which is more than fear, distress or panic; • cruelty under section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. This refers to willful assault, ill-treatment, neglect, abandonment, etc. of a child "in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or injury to health (including injury to or loss of sight, or hearing, or limb, or organ of the body, and any mental derangement)". Parents who have physically assaulted a child are rarely charged under section 1 which is normally only used for cases of neglect. Preventing parents from using the "lawful punishment" defence in relation to these offences would not significantly change the status quo. Courts are already most unlikely to accept the defence when a child is proved to have suffered these high levels of injury. Even if the Charging Standard, which is currently under review, was to be changed to propose that assault causing injury to a child should be treated as assault causing "actual bodily harm" rather than as common assault, so that there was no "lawful punishment" defence available for any assault of a child that caused injury, this would still not provide equal protection. It would also leave the problem of "risk of injury" untouched. Parents who shake children or hit them on the head may not cause any bruise or other injury - but they are risking serious injury. The only way of effectively deterring such conduct is to make it clear that any assault is unlawful, just as it is when directed at an adult.

Lord Lester has suggested that his clause meets human rights standards. This is not the case. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child requires protection of children from "all forms of physical or mental violence". The monitoring Committee on the Rights of the Child has consistently interpreted the Convention as requiring prohibition of all corporal punishment. It has formally recommended this to the UK twice, in 1995 and 2002. In 2002 the Committee explicitly criticised proposals to limit rather than to remove the defence, "particularly since they constitute a serious violation of the dignity of the child… Moreover, they suggest that some forms of corporal punishment are acceptable, thereby undermining educational measures to promote positive and non-violent discipline." Similarly, the European Committee of Social Rights states that compliance with the European Social Charter requires prohibition of all corporal punishment.

Lord Thomas of Gresford amendment to Lord Lester’s New Clause Lord Thomas has emphasised that he will support the "equal protection" New Clause (amendment 106). His amendment to Lord Lester’s new clause removes the defence of lawful punishment in relation to a charge of common assault. It also allows parents charged with common assault a defence if they can prove that the act was reasonably intended to prevent harm to the child or others. After Clause 48 THE LORD LESTER OF HERNE HILL 1 Insert the following new Clause – "Reasonable punishment (1) In relation to any offence specified in subsection (2), battery of a child cannot be justified on the ground that it constituted reasonable punishment.

(2) The offences referred to in subsection (1) are – (a) an offence under section 18 or 20 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 (c.100) (wounding and causing grievous bodily harm); (b) an offence under section 47 of that Act (assault occasioning actual bodily harm); (c) an offence under section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c.12) (cruelty to persons under 16).

(3) Battery of a child causing actual bodily harm to the child cannot be justified in any civil proceedings on the ground that it constituted reasonable punishment.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3) "actual bodily harm" has the same meaning as it has for the purposes of section 47 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 (c.100).

(5) In section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c.12), omit subsection (7)."

SPANKOUT DAY USA ACTIVITIES 2004

Virginia:
Violence in the World of Children, a class of l85 students of Dr. Lucien Lombardo at Old Dominion University in Virginia has received information about SpankOut Day and several are planning activities. Here is an example:

I was able to get 26 people to agree that day not to spank their child and in return do 30 minutes of either play time or read to them.'
From: Amy Moore [harleymoore@windbits.net]

Other Activities from Virginia

Massachusetts:
COMMUNITY CARE SERVICES, TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM
167 Maple St. #1, Attleboro MA 02703
Tel: 508-223-4135         Contact: Kathleen Rooney, Program Director 508-223-4135 x338
Out door fair will be held on April 30th incorporating a donation giveaway, cookout, displays and handouts on positive discipline, and games with an informational component on alternatives to spanking

Ohio:
GRADS PROGRAM OF THE TRI RIVERS JOINT VOCATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
2222 Marion Mt. Gilead Road, Marion OH 43302 Contact: Maria Augustin or Susan Harraman 740-389-4681
A day-long program will be held to emphasize child development information, effects of corporal punishment, and alternatives. Teens will role-play various discipline scenarios using positive discipline techniques. Students will select and practice using affirmations for growth for their children and themselves.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES SERVICES ASHLAND COUNTY
1260 S. Center St. Ashland, OH 44805
Tel: 419-289-9227 Contact: Shirley Bixby, Help Me Grow Supervisor
Program aimed at positive alternatives to spanking and assault prevention - using Incredible Years Curriculum, The Child Assault Program materials, and the Early Session Child Assault Prevention Program. About l00 families are expected to attend.
Personnel will be available to assist families with referrals as needed.

H/C DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TASK FORCE
135 North High Street, PO Box 527, Hillsboro, OH 45133 Contact: Mickey Ackels, Director 937-393-8118
A presentation on spanking will be given to each of the groups involved with our agency followed by a discussion on the pros and cons of spanking. A parallel to violence in our culture will be emphasized and materials from the Center for Effective Discipline will be distributed.

Louisiana:
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA TWIN CITIES EARLY HEAD START
701 Stubbs Avenue, Monroe, LA 71201 Contact: Elizabeth Johnson, Parent Educator 318-322-2272
A Festival of the Child Celebration for parents and children participating in parenting classes will include (l) workshops on positive discipline methods and (2) carnival of games for parents and children encouraging family play time. Children will participate in games, skits and art projects.

Texas:
DALLAS ASSOCIATION FOR PARENT EDUCATION
777 South Central 1-T, Richardson TX 75040 Contact: Dawn Hallman, Exec. Dir. Tel: 972-699-0420
Five hundred families will get cards with l0 things to do instead of hitting children with a cookie cutter and recipe for making child play dough. On SpankOut Day April 30th, cards will be passed out to parents in two child care centers in areas where the highest child abuse confirmed reports take place. Cards will also be handed out in the mall, the local book store and at a children's clothing store on that date.

Illinois: Partners for Antiviolence Awareness Community Training, Chicago IL contact: Robin Bruscato robin@nbilc.org is sending information about SpankOut Day to all school nurses in Illinois through the Illinois Department of Public Nurse Consultant.

Rhode Island:
PREVENT CHILD ABUSE RHODE ISLAND
500 Prospect Street, Pawtucket RI 02806 Contact: Deb Delasanta, program specialist, 401-728-7920
A SpankOut Day Campaign media kit will be sent to 25 community newspapers and will include information about SpankOut Day, about PCARI, and educational brochures and materials on effective, non-physical discipline methods.

Nevada:
SOUTHERN NEVADA AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER
1094 East Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas NV 89104 Contact: Steven Hansen, child abuse prevention program's AmericCorps VISTA Volunteer 702-318-8452
Booths will be set up by VISTA volunteers to distribute information on alternatives to using physical discipline. The materials will be printed in Spanish and English. Parents will be encouraged to sign a personalized certificate that pledges to use non-violent means for child rearing (also have available Peaceful Parenting certificates).

New Jersey:
GREATER FAITH CHURCH OF THE ABUNDANCE
P.O. 8411, Haledon, NJ 07538 (Pastor Randall Lassiter). Contact: Gloria Walton (201)243-5026
Gloria Walton, youth minister in Paterson NJ has gotten a proclamation from the Mayor designating April 30th at SpankOut Day in Paterson, New Jersey, did a "Hands are Not for Hitting" writing contest at a local grade school and organized a celebration attended by 250 persons with greetings by the mayor.

Ohio:
NORTHWESTERN OHIO COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION
1933 E. Second Street, Defiance OH 43512 Contact: Toni Goeltzenleuchter and Sherri Derge 419-784-2150

A video which interviews children about how they feel when they are spanked will be viewed by parent groups and a discussion will be held about how to raise good kids without hitting. Parents will be given a paddle with a ball and asked to keep it in the air. They will be reminded how hard this is and the need to set realistic expectations for children.

New York:
ATTACHMENT PARENTING (ITHACA AP)
On Friday, Ithaca Attachment Parenting (Ithaca AP) is celebrating SpankOut Day at noon in Dewitt Park. All parents, grandparents and friends of children are encouraged to stop by for free information on positive discipline methods. Contact Tiffany Brown at 279-9807 or papooses@aol.com for more information.

Louisiana:
THE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY CENTER OF AVOYELLES
334 Longfellow Road, Mansura, LA 71350 Contact: Evelyn Cass, Outreach Coordinator 318-240-8898
A qualified, credentialed speaker will be contracted to present a two hour seminar discussion behavior management options for our clients. Brochures and handouts will be distributed on the effects and dangers of physical punishment. Eight agencies will set up tables at a local WalMart to distribute positive parenting information. A seminar with will held within the store on behavior management. Resolutions have been sent to six mayors within the parish asking that September 30th be declared "SpankOut Day".

Ohio:
ART OF POSITIVE PARENTING
78 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215 Contact: Janice Davis, Instructor and Community Liaison 614-224-8277
Event:
A workshop on alternatives to corporal punishment will be held at a Columbus School. It will give parents specific skills and ideas that they can implement immediately. Parents will be given the opportunity to talk about childhood memories and about specific challenges they are having with their children.

California:
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY OF ORANGE COUNTY
2301 W. Lincoln Avenue, Suite 246, Anaheim CA 92801 Contact: Ibrahim S. Hussein, Director 714-493-1313
A l l/2 hour parent education seminar on the impact of corporal punishment and alternatives to its use will be given on Friday, April 30, A professional social worker with expertise in child welfare and protection issues will provide the seminar. Parents will be asked to sign a "Non-Spanking Promissory Note" created by the agency and asked to post it in a prominent place at home. The seminar will be part of a commitment ceremony and community celebration. A photo will be taken of the class to memorialize the event. Following the signing ceremony, there will be a celebration of food and music.

Ohio:
APPALACHIAN PEACE AND JUSTICE NETWORK
18 North College Street, Athens OH 45701 Contact: Mara Giglio, Training/Program Coordinator 740-592-2608
A three-hour positive discipline workshop for grandparents raising grandchildren alone in Hocking and Athens Counties in OH will be provided. The workshop "Non-Violent Solutions to Discipline" will explore why corporal punishment is no longer considered healthy for children or adults. It will focus on positive and negative or assertive responses to conflict and how to choose the right strategy rather than acting out of habit.

Pennsylvania:
CEN-CLEAR CHILD SERVICES, INC.
1633 Philipsburg Bigler Highway, Philipsburg, PA 16866 Contact: Audrey Bucher, Family Community Partnership Coordinator 814-342-5678
Inservice training will be provided for home visitors of Head Start Programs on methods to encourage parents to stop physical punishment and connect with children in positive ways. There will be SpankOut activities in each Center on April 30th with selected handouts sent home for each participating family.

North Dakota:
PREVENT CHILD ABUSE NORTH DAKOTA
P.O. Box 1213 418 E. Rosser Avenue, Suite 110, Bismarck ND 58502 Contact: Kathy Mayer, Exec. Director Tel: 701-223-9052
A copy ready-flyer for SpankOut Day using the theme "Raising Good Kids Without Hitting" and two or three alternatives to physical punishment will be provided in Child Abuse Prevention packets. Recipients will be asked to reproduce and distribute the poster to groups they target in April. The message could reach 40,000 people during April.

Ohio:
FAMILY LIFE OFFICE, CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF COLUMBUS
197 E. Gay Street, Columbus, OH 43215 Contacts; Stephanie Jenemann, Director 614-241-2560
Barbara Coloroso's materials - Parenting Package, Winning at Teaching Videos and information about SpankOut Day will be distributed to fifty seven elementary principals in 20 counties upon request. A packet of information will go out to all principals and the effort will be publicized by the Diocesan Communications Department.

Texas:
PROMISE HOUSE, INC
224 W. Page Street, Dallas TX 75208 Contact: Alex K. Appiah, Vice Pres. (214)941-8578
Activity: A program will be presented for after-school program participants on the effects of physical punishment and alternatives. There will be a community awareness campaign and activities throughout the day with parents/youth.

Arizona:
ARMS OF LOVE FELLOWSHIP
P.O. Box 12403 Glendale AZ 85318-2403 Contact: Crystal Lutton, Pastor and Vice-President (602)803-8322
For families who are interested in a non-punitive, biblical-based discipline. A commitment poll for parents who will commit to not spank their children has been established at http://www.aolff.org. A table with materials on skills promoting positive, non-punitive discipline will be set up and a community picnic is planned.

Arizona:
Parenting without Punishing, Thatcher Arizona Contact: Norm Lee at norm@nopunish.net
A table with SpankOut Day materials will be set up outside of a local Wal Mart Store.

New York:
LOURDES HOSPITAL
303 Main Street, Binghamton, NY 13905 Contact Bette Gifford, Director (607)584-4500
A program will be held using Improv Dads to put on a show dealing with benefits of positive discipline strategies. Improv Dads is a two-father duo who incorporates values and principles into exciting and animated programs. Prizes will be given away to remind parents that spanking is not appropriate discipline.

Ohio:
THE ABUSE PREVENTION FUND
540 Rainbow Drive NW, Lancaster Ohio, 43130 Contact: Janice Kobi, Executive Director JKOBI@columbus.rr.com or (740)681-9010
Articles on SpankOut Day and been written and sent to the Lancaster Eagle Newspaper. Magnets and posters will be distributed. Two radio interviews have been scheduled.

Texas:
CALUMET COMMUNITY CENTER
321A . Calumet Avenue Dallas, TX 75211 Contact: Juanita Miramontes (214)467-1966 A guest speaker for parents of non-school hours programs will address issues concerning effective, non-violent discipline of children and youth.

Ohio:
CHILD ASSAULT PREVENTION PROJECT OF MERCER COUNTY
8189 St. Rt.705, Yorkshire OH 45388 Contact: Cathy Liening (419)582-4911
Articles on SpankOut Day will be sent to the local newspaper and radio. Booths will be set up an evening event on alternative discipline.

Connecticut:
John Dibiase, a parent, will do a workshop for parents and handout materials at Waterbury Youth Services. Contact: John Dibiase at (203)573-0264

Illinois:
School nurse, Robin Bruscato, will share SpankOut Day information with nurses in 600 Chicago schools. Contact: Robin Bruscato lovey40@rcn.com

Hawaii:
Chet Adessa of the Family Advocacy Center at Pearl Harbor is planning a SpankOut booth for Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii's 5th Annual Conference April 29 and 30th. He is also setting up a booth at Spring Fest at Pearl Harbor. Contact: Chet Adessa, CFLE Chester.adessa@navy.mil

Ohio:
MEDICAL COLLEGE OF OHIO AND CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE DISCIPLINE, Columbus OH. Dr. Michele Knox, at the Medical College of Ohio, Contact: mknox@mco.edu
Dr. Michele Knox developed a parenting brochure "They're Driving Me Crazy" for distribution on SpankOut Day. She is distributing them throughout northwest Ohio to physicians and others. The brochure is copyright free and will be posted on www.stophitting.org

Ohio:
PREVENT CHILD ABUSE OHIO, COLUMBUS OH
Contact Director: Renee Dillon (614) 722-6800
Prevent Child Abuse Ohio will have a speaker at their statewide conference, Dr. Joan Durrant from Canada. Dr. Durant is a child-clinical psychologist who has done extensive research on corporal punishment of children. There will also be a table of positive discipline materials including SpankOut Day information and brochures.

Illinois:
PSYCHEALTH, LTD.
P.O. Box 5312, Evanston IL, Contact: Dr. Madeleine Y. Gomez
We put a banner in our storefront (corporate offices) window - and we'll keep up for a week - it has info re: freebies for support!

No Hitting, No Smacking, No Spanking Day Worldwide April 30th

Tasmania:
The Commissioner of Children, Patmalmar will be having a "No Smacking Day" panel discussion on April 30th in Hobart.

Croatia:

Association "MiRTa" Split Kraj Sv. Marije 1/3 21000 Split, Croatia Tel/fax. +385 21 / 36 00 76 E-mail: mirta1@st.htnet.hr http://www.pujanke.hr/mirta/index.htm

INTERNATIONAL NO HITTING DAY FOR CHILDREN
APRIL 30, 2004

NGO MiRTa, Split, CROATIA

REPORT

This year MiRTa, joined the Global initiative for raising children without corporal punishment for the second time.

MiRTa, in cooperation with school counselors and teachers, organized the children from the fourth grades of two elementary schools in Split to draw or paint their attitude on beatings. The idea was to facilitate active involvement of early grade school children in promotion of children rights.

A brochure was circulated among the children, a drawing book that talks about child abuse in an appropriate manner suitable for their stage of development (7 – 10 years of age) with a "Stop the beatings" sticker for the children. The parents were also given a brochure, specially prepared to explain why they should not hit a child and to instruct them how to raise a child that behaves appropriately.

After discussing the contents of the brochure the children wrote down what they thought and felt about the topic. Also, they used colors to express their attitudes and reflections on beatings. All their works were placed on bulletin boards in the school entrance hall, while they took their brochures home with them.

The whole event was covered by the local and regional media (newspapers, radio, TV).

Cambodia:
Glen Miles, Children at Risk Facilitator for Tearfund in Phnom Penh has endorsed SpankOut Day and is currently developing a karaoke video for children and youth called "Safe Children" to help children protect themselves against abuse.
Contact: Glen Miles tearfund@camnet.com.kh

India:
"APANACH" (WE), a group of social workers, child psychologists and experts in education is organizing activities for SpankOut Day. Contact: Santosh Kulkarni, santosh.kulkarni@sermopmindia.com

"We have organised a big event in our city where teachers from some of the reputed schools, parents and our group volunteers will gather together to discuss on International NO HITTING day and to plan the whole year activities to reduce the violence on children. I am going to address them to inform about the international events happening on this day and Indian development in this matter. Indian Express will cover this event news. Your information about this day given on mails and website is very useful for me."

Democratic Republic of the Congo:
We, members of FEPAM ou ENFANTS DES PARENTS DU MONDE, supported SPANKOUT DAY 30th, a no hitting, no smoking, no-spanking day of children, because it provides us an opportunity to speak out against corporal punishment of children and to promote no violence effective discipline through demonstration.
The children run through the town roads and avenues holding banderoles on which they wrote their wishes in french and kiswahili (national languages).
The local authorities would like us to process by a seminar, educational events and campaigns in order to inform parents, teachers, pastors and regulative administration instead of demonstrations . So they was in position of forbid our events.
The people was interested and asked us many questions. On the whole they wanted to know why not to hit a child.
Although we are not frame, we answer that physical punishment puts children at risk, so non violent discipline helps children.
Best regards,
MUGUFI TUNANGOJA FLORY
Coordinator.

Nepal:
Contact person: Ramesh Koirala at rameshko@yahoo.com

Switzerland:
Association Suisse pour la Protection de l'Enfant sent press releases last year on no-hitting day. ASPE is hoping to organize mobile stands to promote the event. Contact: Karie Van der Else at: KarieVanderElst@Tupperware.com

Canada:
Contact: Ralph C. Billingsley, Ph. D., C. Psych. rbilling@netcore.ca
Chair, Education Committee and Positive Discipline Sub-Committee
Child Abuse Prevention Council of Windsor and Essex County
Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Preceeding the April 30 No Spank Day (as we have termed it):

• sales/distribution at several children's mental health centres and community agencies of T-shirts and sweatshirts with a picture and saying "It shouldn't Hurt to Be a Child" and "No Spank Day" banners
• distribution of educational materials (pamphlets, a "Make Your Home A Spank Free Zone" poem, suggestions for positive discipline, flyers for No Spank Day Activities) to community agencies/organizations
• print and radio ads regarding positive discipline, parenting, and No Spank Day
• a No Spank Day display in the largest city mall for an entire day promoting No Spank Day activities, and offering positive discipline informaiton, and information about community parenting resources
• radio call-in program participation the week of No Spank Day
• information packages and suggestions for activites before and on No Spank Day sent to community agencies/organizations

• rally in Windsor's City Hall square with speakers, food, music, and information displays, with several key agencies encouraged to support the rally by allowing staff to attend the noon-time event, and with participation from neighbouring schools and family centres. Media coverage is expected.
• local agencies/organizations encouraged to wear T-shirts "It Shouldn't Hurt To Be A Child"

Sri Lanka:
NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION AUTHORITY (ncpa)
The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has made arrangements to mark the No Spanking Day which falls on April 30 every year. A one day program including a children's art exhibition and a series of lectures will take place at Al-Hidaya Vidyalaya, Sri Sangharaja Mawatha, Colombo 10 today at 9.am to mark this day, a NCPA spokesman said.

SPANKOUT DAY APRIL 30TH
FOCUS ON POSITIVE DISCIPLINE OF CHILDREN - NO HITTING

DOZENS OF EDUCATIONAL EVENTS ON POSITIVE DISCIPLINE-NO HITTING FOR CHILDREN ARE PLANNED FOR SPANKOUT DAY USA IN THE UNITED STATES. SEVERAL COUNTRIES OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. ARE ALSO PARTICIPATING.

CONTACT EPOCH-USA AT THE CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE DISCIPLINE FOR A LIST OF EVENTS (614)221-8829

A SALUTE TO SPANKOUT DAY APRIL 3OTH
FROM PREVENT CHILD ABUSE MD (PCAM)

Much has changed since the "good ol’ days." Roads crossed over by horse and buggy are now traveled by car, log cabins are replaced with six bedroom homes built in a day, and televisions, cell phones, and computers are commonplace. Technology has taken us to a new level and we know it all as "normal." Everyday life can be managed with a push of a button. Yet through it all, we still have not learned that it is physically harmful and psychologically damaging to spank our children. We dare not put a scratch on our car, but we spank our children. We will catch the heirloom vase before it hits the ground, but we throw our children to the floor. We are even careful not to break our techno toys, but we crack heads, shatter bones, and break the spirit of a child. Have we not yet learned the ramifications of spanking, whipping, smacking, shaking or abusing our precious children. So much damage has already been done. Our children are an extension of ourselves. Do we really want to hurt them? The idea that spanking is a form of discipline is antiquated and wrong. The public has grown wiser on many aspects of life, now is the time to grow wiser about the rearing of our children. That is why PCAM is speaking out in support of SpankOut Day USA. Spanking sends the wrong message to children. They grow up to believe that physical and aggressive behavior will solve all problems. Childhood spanking can also distort the mental development of a child, as well as, perpetuate violence in adulthood. Prevent child Abuse Maryland’s mission is to prevent and eliminate child abuse and neglect in the state of Maryland. Join us in support of SpankOut day USA on April 30, 2004. When your child misbehaves, talk with your child firmly and directly, allow the child to think about the behavior and the how to solve the problem. Utilize the "time out" theory, set limits and be consistent. Teach your child consequences. Unacceptable behavior equals loss of privileges such as, not playing with a favorite toy, not going to a party, or not getting the keys to the car. Above all, spend time with your child and give praise for good behavior. Remember, children are people too. PCAM supports SpankOut Day USA.

For more information call:

1-800-CHILDREN or 1-800-244-5373 Board Member

PA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES BAN ON CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
Final versian will go to Legislative Committees

The Pennsylvania State Board of Education on 3-19-04 unanimously gave its final approval to a final version of a regulation that will ban corporal punishment of students in public schools. The regulations will be reviewed by House and Senate Education Committees, the State Attorney General's Office and an independent review board. Final approval is expected before the end of the year making Pennsylvania the 29th state to ban corporal punishment.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN - APRIL 30 2004
NO HITTING, NO SMACKING, NO SPANKING

People in all nations want their children to grow up without violence and to be free from harm. April 30th is a day dedicated to the right of children to be free from physical punishment and humiliation. Slapping, hitting with straps, pinching, and punching are examples of violence used against children by parents and caretakers throughout the world. As parents, we may not realize that we are contributing to violence by our example of hitting children. Physical punishment puts children at risk for physical and psychological harm, tolerance of violence, anti-social behavior, and poorer adjustment in adulthood. Non-violent discipline helps children become caring, responsible, and self-disciplined adults. SpankOut Day, a day of non-violence against children, provides an opportunity for concerned organizations and individuals in all countries to speak out against physical punishment of children and to promote non-violent and effective discipline. On SpankOut Day April 30th, EPOCH-USA calls on all parents to break the habit of hitting children and to seek out non-violent ways of dealing with children’s behavior through reading, talking with friends, and participating in community parenting programs. "Hitting children is wrong and children are people too. This is a good day to begin to break the bad habit of hitting children", said Nadine Block, SpankOut Day USA chair.

International Contact: Nadine Block, EPOCH-USA www.stophitting.org email: info@stophitting.org About EPOCH-USA:

EPOCH-USA (End Physical Punishment of Children) is part of an international federation of organizations seeking to end physical punishment of children through education and legal reform. The Center for Effective Discipline, a non-profit organization, is the headquarters for EPOCH-USA.

CANADIAN SUPREME COURT RESTRICTS PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT OF CHILDREN
U.S. ADVOCATES CONSIDER IT A BIG VICTORY

January 33, 2004 Congratulations to the Foundation for Children, Youth and the Law and other child-friendly organizations and individuals for their valiant legal effort to provide safe environments for Canadian children. The Supreme Court of Canada today did not rule in favor of their request to strike the provision which allows parents to hit children. While the court ruled that parents could still spank their children, the Court has apparently put limitations on physical punishment:

• To be legal it must involve only "minor corrective force of a transitory and trifling nature" (no bruising).
• Parents cannot use physical punishment on infants or teenagers, cannot strike with objects and cannot hit the head of a child.
• School corporal punishment (intentional hitting) is no longer allowed. Canadian child advocates may have lost the ruling but they have assured that educational and legal reform efforts to end physical punishment of children will go forward. Over l00 organizations signed on to support an end to all physical punishment of children in Canada. The practice of hitting children places them at risk for physical and psychological harm, for alienated relationships with parents, for anti-social behavior, for tolerance of violence and for poor adjustment as adults. In restricting the use of physical punishment, the Court made a half-step. U.S. child advocates consider the ruling a big victory. "It’s time to ask U.S. policy makers what they are doing to protect children", said EPOCH-USA chairs Block and Fathman. "We need to end school corporal punishment in the twenty-two states which still allow its use. We need universal parent training in non-violent, effective discipline. School boards in paddling states, state governments and Congress should look to the North", they said.

Find information about the status of corporal punishment, laws and alternatives on http://www.stophitting.org End Physical Punishment of Children is a program of the Center for Effective Discipline, a non-profit organization which provides information about the effects of physical punishment of children and effective alternatives.

CONTACTS: DR. JOAN DURRANT, UNIVERSITY OF WINIPEG, ONTARIO (204-474-8060) OFFICE (204-269-3798) Durrant@ms.umanitoba.ca CORINNE ROBERTSHAW OF THE REPEAL SEC. 43 COMMITTEE (416) 489-9339 FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND THE LAW (416-970-1633 EPOCH-USA (614)221-8829 TEXT OF RULING http://www.lexum.umontreal.ca/csc-scc/en/rec/texte/2004scc004.wpd.txt

SUPREME COURT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES DECISION DATE ON SEC. 43 APPEAL
JANUARY 30, 2004 DATE IS SET

The Supreme Court of Canada announced that judgment on the appeal by child advocates to repeal Section 43 of the Criminal Code will be delivered at 9:45 A.M. on Friday, January 30, 2004. Section 43 of the Criminal Code guarantees immunity for reasonable force to discipline children. Canadian child advocates said the law is an "affront to children", makes them "second-class citizens" and leads to abuse.

UK SET TO BAN SMACKING OF CHILDREN
November 17, 2003

The UK is expected to enact new laws protecting children from abuse including a ban on parental smacking. Labour MPs are planning to amend the Child Protection Bill to achieve this goal in response to a public outcry against the death of a young child who was killed in London by her great aunt after social workers failed to protect her although glaring signs of her abuse were said to be evident. The effort to end parental corporal punishment of children in the UK is part of an international effort to end all corporal punishment of children through education and legal reform. Eleven other nations have laws banning all corporal punishment of children. See Legal Reforms Worldwide http://www.stophitting.org

WORLD DAY FOR PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE
November 19, 2003

Organizations in over l00 countries are observing a World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse to bring attention to the need for effective child abuse prevention measures. The Women’s World Summit Foundation in Geneva Switzerland is sponsoring a World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse.

Each day an average of three children die as the result of child maltreatment in the United States. Thousands more are found to be abused or neglected in some form. The Center for Effective Discipline recognizes this day by providing information about the effects of corporal punishment of children and alternatives to its use. Most physical abuse of children starts as "discipline". The Center, through its program End Physical Punishment of Children, (EPOCH-USA), calls on all parents and educators to end corporal punishment of children and seek information about positive discipline through reading, through discussion and through positive parenting programs in their communities. See http://www.stophitting.org EPOCH-USA is part of an international federation to end corporal punishment of children through education and legal reform. EPOCH-USA and the National Coalition to Abolish Corporal Punishment in Schools are operated as programs of the Center for Effective Discipline, a Columbus, OH non-profit organization. Director of the Center is Nadine Block. Tel: (614)221-8829

No More Paddling in Mobile County AL
Board member Hazel Fournier wins a long fight to abolish corporal punishment

The sixty-five thousand students in the AL Mobile County Public Schools are now free from being struck with paddles for misbehavior. The Mobile County Public Schools board commissioners banned corporal punishment in a 4-1 vote on 8-26-03. AL law permits local school boards to ban corporal punishment. In the 2000 U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, survey AL was third in the nation in numbers of students paddled(5.4 percent).

School Days, School Days, but WITHOUT the hickory stick!
More schools are starting the year without corporal punishment

NEWS RELEASE - Immediate: "SCHOOL DAYS, SCHOOL DAYS, DEAR OLD GOLDEN RULE DAYS",but forget the hickory stick. Corporal punishment is being abolished in schools all over the country…even in the deep South. Galveston TX banned corporal punishment this summer and Dallas TX and Mobile AL will vote on a ban in the next few weeks. Twenty-eight states have ended school paddling. The most recent state to ban was Delaware in April 2003.

The Center can provide contact information for board members seeking bans in these cities, local advocacy efforts and contact with paddling victims. See http://www.stophitting.org for information about school corporal punishment effects, alternatives and laws.

Telephone: Center for Effective Discipline (614)221-8829 or email us at info@stophitting.org

SWISS COURT RULING ON SMACKING APPEARS LIMITED

Follow-up reports on the Swiss Supreme Court ruling on parental use of corporal punishment of children suggest that the ruling provides only limitations on physical punishment, not a full ban as first reported. The Swiss supreme court said an occasional smack is acceptable but anything more would constitute a criminal offense. That leaves l2 countries which have ended physical punishment of children in all settings including homes.

KIDS ARE "UNBEATABLE" IN 13 COUNTRIES
Swiss High Court Rules on 7-9-2003

Eleven countries now prohibit corporal punishment by law in all settings. Switzerland joins Italy in a supreme court ruling against the use of corporal punishment of children. Kids are unbeatable in l3 countries!

Here is news from NZZ http://www.nzz.ch/2003/07/09/english/page-synd4020498.html "The Swiss Federal Court has warned parents that corporal punishment is not an acceptable means of disciplining children. It ruled on Wednesday that slapping, kicking and ear tugging are punishable offences - if they are administered repeatedly or habitually.The court made its announcement in a bid to clarify Swiss law, which does not specifically prohibit corporal punishment for children.Current legislation states that individuals can be punished if they hit someone, regardless of whether a mark is left or not, but does not clarify at which point violence is unacceptable as a form of punishment delivered by adults to children."

ANTI-SPANKING ADVOCATES ARGUE CASE BEFORE CANADIAN SUPREME COURT
Advocacy group wants legal immunity from prosecution struck down.

On June 6 2003, the Supreme Court of Canada heard a challenge to Section 43 of the Canadian Criminal Code which protects teachers, parents and caregivers in using "reasonable" force to discipline children.

The Canadian Foundation for Children, Youth and the Law, an advocacy organization for children, wants the law struck down. In a Globe and Mail article, reporter Margaret Philp summarized the success of the Swedish law banning all corporal punishment of children as