Corporal punishment is a method of physical discipline intended to cause pain to a person. When it’s inflicted on minors, especially in home and school settings, its methods may include spanking or caning.

Corporal punishment or violent discipline by caregivers is the most common form of violence against children. Worldwide, 4 out of 5 children aged 2 to 14 are affected by corporal punishment. This happens in many basic settings – at home, in the classroom, in childcare, and in juvenile detention centres. And today, 86% of children in the world are not legally protected from this practice.

While corporal punishment can lead to immediate obedience, researchers have found that the behavioural changes may only be short-term. Studies consistently show that corporal punishment is ineffective in the long run and may even cause behaviour problems to worsen over time.

For example, hitting children reinforces aggressive behaviour. A variety of research studies have found that children who are hit are more likely to hit other people. The reason is simple. Physical punishment models aggressive behaviour, which teaches children to use violence to solve problems. It can also lead to bullying, dating violence, and other problem behaviours that involve having power over others.

Spanking and other physical punishment damage the relationship between children and their parents or caregivers. Here are some reasons why corporal punishment shouldn’t be tolerated by any society: 

• It is a form of child abuse
• It can increase aggression
• Antisocial behaviour
• Physical injury
• Mental health issues
• Poor educational outcomes
• Perpetration of violence 
• Lack of acceptance by peers 
• Depression Disorder 
• Psychological Damage 

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this article, or would like to learn more about corporal punishment in Thailand please email info@childlinethailand.org or contact us via social media https://www.facebook.com/childlinethailand https://twitter.com/saidek1387

The post What is Corporal Punishment? appeared first on Childline Thailand.

International Child Helpline Day has been celebrated every year on 17 May since 2005  to recognise the achievement of child helplines around the world. Covid-19 has seen an increase in contacts to many helplines, including childline Thailand. Since countries locked down, children have become more vulnerable to violence at home and increasingly likely to suffer from the effects of school closure, depression and economic downturn.  A report published by Child Helpline International reveals that, globally, child helpline members received 25% more contacts in 2020 compared to 2019.  Childline’s Thailand data from our contact centre was used in the report, available here https://www.childhelplineinternational.org/data-overview/publications/voices-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

#InternationalChildHelplineDay

#EveryChildHasAVoice

The post International Child Helpline Day 2021 appeared first on Childline Thailand.

Meanwhile in Thailand, the Child Rights Coalition surveyed 28 member charities and found that many were deeply concerned about the social and economic impact of Covid19. Childline Thailand runs a call centre that normally averages approximately 600 calls and messages each month. In the days after the lockdown begun in April the centre has so far counselled 1195 children (1st- 21st April 2020). For a small charity this increase has put additional pressure on staff and funding and the foundation doesn’t receive any government support.

Childline Thailand’s centre for children in street situations (ศูนย์เดอะฮับสายเด็ก) has also seen a rise in demand for its services, with more children visiting the centre for support. In response the charity created an emergency appeal to provide Survival Boxes to homeless children which contain masks, soap and gel. The Hub also provides daily meals, showers and mental health support for 110 youths.

In times of crisis it’s really important to know that “there is someone there that cares” Childline and the Hub that “someone” for children. We care, we are there 24/7, and we are are always ready to help.

CTF Director Ilya Smirnoff

Whilst life has been inconvenienced for most of us, it is the most vulnerable members of society that will suffer the most. Childline helplines around the world provide a free service to millions of children and they require support to remain viable.

Please donate to Childline Thailand’s Covid-19 campaign https://childlinethailand.org/survival-box/

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The post New Challenges for Charities during the Covid-19 Pandemic appeared first on Childline Thailand.