This briefing, prepared for the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, held in March 2015, considers prohibition of corporal punishment in the context of domestic violence / family protection laws. It sets out the reasons why excluding prohibition of corporal punishment from laws on domestic violence and family protection represents a failure to properly address the issue and to fulfil obligations under international human rights law – and why this can only undermine the promotion of violence-free homes. It also looks at the research in the short and long term linking corporal punishment of children with violence in intimate relationships between adults.

Crucially, this leafet highlights at least 34 states which are currently developing laws against domestic violence and, therefore, are presented with immediate opportunities for achieving prohibition of corporal punishment – with the potential to extend legal protection from all corporal punishment in the home to a third of the world’s child population. This is a key resource to encourage all those working with and for the rights of women and girls to see prohibition of corporal punishment as a fundamental element in addressing gender-based violence and to advocate strongly for this necessary law reform.

If you have questions or comments about this or any of our resources, or to request hard copies, contact us at info@endcorporalpunishment.org.

Ending family violence briefing 2015