mutilation/cutting) and recruitment into armed forces and groups. Violence against children takes place at home, in school, online, in institutions, at work, in the community, in armed conflict and in disasters. It affects children from all walks of life. It has a devastating long-term impact on children. Growing up with violence seriously affects a child's development, dignity, and physical and psychological integrity. And yet, in many countries a lot of violence against children remains legal and is viewed as socially acceptable. Save the Children works with children, girls and boys, alongside women and men, to change attitudes, knowledge and behaviour so that violence against children is no longer tolerated. Since violence against children can be exacerbated and extreme in conflict situations, we campaign and work to protect children in conflict.1d:T4bf,

Corporal/physical punishment of children is a global problem that occurs in all societies. Corporal punishment violates the child’s physical, emotional and spiritual integrity and is therefore incompatible with religious and universal values of respect for human dignity, compassion, equity, justice, peace, equality and non-violence.

This handbook was written in consultation with religious leaders and communities and provides suggestions and tools to support religious communities in working with others towards prohibition of corporal punishment of children, and the development of positive, non-violent relationships between children and adults.

Although this publication can be used independently, it is also designed to accompany Ending Corporal Punishment: A handbook for working with religious communities.

Additional resources on ending corporal punishment can be found at the Global Initiative to End Corporal Punishment of Children’s website: