Resolution for CAEFS’AGM 2010, submitted by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan
Whereas child physical punishment is condemned by the United Nations as a form of violence,[1] and
Whereas research demonstrates that physical punishment leads to a myriad of developmental, physical and mental health concerns,[2] and
Whereas 85 – 90% of women in prisons report a history of physical and or sexual violence,[3] and
Whereas the rights of women to be protected from violence is a basic human right so must it be for children, and
Whereasthe 41st session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women(June/July 2008) made strong recommendations concerning the obligation of states to prohibit corporal punishment of children in the home. In its concluding observations to the United Kingdom and Slovakia, the Committee expressed concern that “corporal punishment is lawful in the home and constitutes a form of violence against children, including the girl child”, and recommended that each state “include in its legislation the prohibition of corporal punishment of children in the home”.[4]
Whereas“The Joint Statement on Physical Punishment to Children and Youth was developed by a national partnership of organizations concerned with the well-being of children and their families. It has been formally endorsed by many Canadian organizations and, by invitation, individuals included in a broad range of issues related to children and youth.”[5] Some of the organizations who have endorsed the Statement include Amnesty International Canada, Canadian Association of Social Workers, Canadian Paediatric Society, Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children, Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan, the John Howard Society of Canada, YWCA and YMCA.Individuals include the Honourable Stephen Lewis, the Honourable Claire L’Heureux-Dube, the Honourable Louise Arbour, Senator Romeo Dallaire and Dr. Fraser Mustard.
Whereas A major goal of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies is to reduce the number of women who are criminalized and in recognition of the role violence plays in the criminalizing of women and girls:
Be it resolved that the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies endorse the Joint Statement on the Physical Punishment of Children and Youth, see
[1] Pinheiro, P. S. (2006). World report on violence against children. Geneva: United Nations Secretary General’s Study on Violence against Children; Committee on the Rights of the Child (27 October, 2003), Concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child: CANADA, CRC/C15/Add.215. Committee on the Rights of the Child (2006), General Comment No. 8.
[2] See research referred to in Joint Statement on the Physical Punishment of Children and Youth see
[3] Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, Creating Choices
[4]Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (42nd session, Oct/Nov 2008): Bahrain, Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mongolia, Myanmar, Portugal, Slovenia, Uruguay
[5] Joint Statement, supra, note 2 at v.