Raising Good Kids Without Hitting |
 |
Click here to bookmark this page!
Download: Acrobat Reader 
or Microsoft Word 
Tool Kit for International Participants
in SpankOut Day April 30th
JOIN us in raising our voices on behalf of
non-violence against children!
What is SpankOut Day?
SpankOut Day was initiated in the US in l998 to give widespread attention to the need to end corporal punishment of children. EPOCH-USA (End Physical Punishment of Children) sponsors SpankOut Day USA. On SpankOut Day, we commend parents who use non-violent discipline. We ask other parents to refrain from hitting on this day and seek alternative methods of discipline through reading, reflection and through programs which may be available in their communities. We ask NGO's to conduct informational programs or campaigns on that date to help educate parents and other caretakers of children about the effects of corporal punishment and alternatives. In other countries the April 30th observance might be more appropriately called No-Hitting Day or No-Smacking Day.
In 2001, child advocates in a few countries asked to participate in SpankOut Day. We decided to issue an open invitation to child advocates and organizations in all countries to join us on this April 30th observance so that we can raise our voices on behalf of non-violence against children!
Here's why we need an international no-hitting day for children:
"Spanking, smacking, beating children is a dangerous lesson in bad behaviour. Children, like the rest of us, have a right not to be hit or humiliated. Most parents who hit their children deeply regret it. Smacking hurts children - and not just physically. The aim of a no-hitting day is to get parents to stop and to think about it; to recognise that there are many positive and non-violent ways to encourage the behaviour they want from their children; and to realise they never need to hit a child again."
Peter Newell, Joint Co-ordinator of the Global Initiative
to End All Corporal Punishment of Children,
London, England
"In l979, Sweden became the first country to end all corporal punishment of children. In the beginning, the Swedish government decided it was important to educate the public about the bad effects of corporal punishment and to help caretakers learn about effective alternatives. For countries that have not ended all corporal punishment of children, a no-hitting day is an opportunity for concerned organizations and individuals to promote positive discipline of children and to call for an end to corporal punishment."
Mali Nillson, Save the Children Sweden
"SpankOut Day helps to put a much-needed focus on children's rights and needs. Children learn best when they feel safe at home and at school. The observance helps us communicate with parents and other caretakers of children about effects of corporal punishment and alternatives. Parents feel better when they can help children learn appropriate behavior without hitting. Corporal punishment is a negative habit that can be broken. Please participate in this educational effort. Your participation will make a difference!"
Nadine Block, Co-Chair of EPOCH-USA,
sponsor of SpankOut Day USA April 30th
What you can do to help:
- Inform newspapers and other media about SpankOut Day
- Distribute copyright free leaflets and materials
- A sample Proclamation
- Peaceful Parent Achievement Award
- Ten Reasons for NOT Hitting Children
- Ten Guidelines for Raising a Well-Behaved Child
- Hitting people is wrong - and children are people too a handbook for the Global Initiative at www.endcorporalpunishment.org
- Support Materials Catalog
- International Logos
- Organize an informational event (some examples are here)
- See the SpankOut Day USA toolkit for more ideas.
- Contact us at info@stophitting.org
to let us know what you are doing for the April 30th . We'd like to post your events on our website http://www.stophitting.org
Help us communicate the important message:
"Hitting people is wrong- and children are people too."
Your participation will make a difference.