Corporal punishment of children and public health: What does the research tell us?

Corporal punishment is a highly prevalent form of violence against children (VAC) and a breach of children’s human rights . Its widespread social acceptance means that a level of violence in childrearing is normalised, entrenching children’s low status in society and paving the way for other forms of violence and mistreatment.

Despite its prevalence, corporal punishment has struggled to gain meaningful attention within the political, policy and public health agendas. However, a growing body of research developed over five decades, including some 300 studies involving hundreds of thousands of children shows that its impacts are profound and far-reaching. Far from being trivial, research tells us that corporal punishment has significant negative impacts on the lives of children in the short and long term, with consequences and costs for society as a whole.

This webinar, hosted by the World Health Organization and the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, offers an opportunity to explore key research findings on corporal punishment of children. Hearing from some of the world’s leading academics on the topic, participants will gain a thorough understanding of the impact of corporal punishment on children’s health and well-being, and evidence-based insights into strategies for its prevention.

Speakers: 

Etienne Krug MD, MPH, Director, Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization 

Alex Butchart PhD, Head, Prevention of Violence, World Health Organization 

Elizabeth Gershoff PhD, Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas 

Jorge Cuartas MSc, Harvard University

Joan Durrant PhD, Professor of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba

Sonia Vohito PhD, Legal Policy Specialist, End Violence Partnership

Howard Taylor PhD, Executive Director, End Violence Partnership