Ending Corporal Punishment of Children- a handbook for multi-religious gatherings
This resource, which has been written in collaboration with religious leaders and faith-based communities, is based on the premises that the major religions profess respect for the inherent dignity of every person, including children and that the universal principles of compassion, justice, equality, and non-violence are central to the prohibition and elimination of corporal punishment of children. Many of the materials are suitable for personal and collective use and can be freely adapted for the local context or used to trigger ideas for further reflection or discussion. The handbook highlights opportunities for advocacy and action and encourages multi-religious collaboration including engagement with global movements, to end violence against children.
A brief look at Mennonite Central Committee’s Child Protection Programs through a quarterly compilation
Articles include:
- Pg 2 – Protecting children within faith communities by Jeanette Harder
- Pg 5 – Whole-school confrontation of child sexual abuse in Kenya by Benard Okumu and Jodi Mikalachki
- Pg 6 – School-based, village oriented child protection by Vincent Stange
- Pg 8 – Empowering children in their own protection by Boniface Kazah Anthony
- Pg 9 – Grounding protection in the local context by Krystan Pawlikowski
- Pg 11 – Vulnerability and protection in settings of violent conflict by Amani Ashad, with Catherine Keating
- Pg 13 – Corporal punishment and “positive discipline” by Claire de Brun and Me MaLintle Mantutle
Report from UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
As the civil war in Syria further deteriorates, accounts of systematic human rights abuses continue to emerge, including torture, starvation, and widespread sexual violence against civilians and combatants. More than five million refugees have fled to neighbouring countries in search of safety, yet they continue to face challenges of poverty, discrimination, as well as sexual violence and exploitation. Some attention has been given to women and girls who have suffered sexual violence in Syria and in displacement; however, less is known about male survivors, including ways to meet their needs.
This exploratory study examined sexual violence against men and boys in the Syria crisis and their access to services in Jordan, Lebanon, and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). In addition to a review of the literature and an online survey completed by 33 key informants, in-country data collection was undertaken in October 2016. Key informant interviews with 73 humanitarian personnel from 34 agencies were conducted as well as 21 focus group discussions with 196 refugees.
Questions probed the characteristics and scope of sexual violence against men and boys, the impact on male survivors and their families, and the availability and utilisation of services for male survivors in countries of asylum. The findings and recommendations presented in the report offer a starting point for unpacking and addressing a complex, under-investigated issue. Given the challenges in researching this taboo topic, sexual violence against men and boys is likely occurring under a variety of circumstances not identified in this exploratory study. Additional investigation and attention are imperative to clarify the scope of sexual violence against males, prevent this violence where possible, and effectively meet the needs of survivors.
Synthesis report of the UK-Government funded project: ‘Working effectively with faith leaders to challenge harmful traditional practices’
In 2017, the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities (JLI) undertook a study funded by UK-Aid, entitled ‘Working effectively with faith leaders to challenge harmful traditional practices.
Just and Resilient Communities Project Gender-based Violence and Child Protection: Diocese of Mt Kenya West
Partners: Anglican Overseas Aid and Anglican Church of Kenya
This project is implemented in Nyeri County in the Diocese of Mount Kenya West from 2014-2017. The project seeks to build safer communities, by addressing the link between poverty and violence against women and children. The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) aims to raise community awareness about the realities of domestic violence, and how to support survivors.
The ACK aims to reduce gender-based violence and improve child protection in Chaka and Thangathi communities in Nyeri County, a central region of Kenya. This project is a new phase of work for ACK, building on a 15-year focus on community-based HIV/AIDS prevention and response.
Project website
9-11 May 2017 GNRC Fifth Forum
Challenged by the global epidemic of violence against children, we, leaders and members of the world’s religious and spiritual traditions, girls and boys, women and men, from 70 countries, together with representatives of governments, the United Nations, and international and grassroots organizations, met in Panama City, Panama for the 5th Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC).
Channels of Hope (CoH) is an interactive, facilitated process to create a safe space for faith leaders and faith communities to learn, share and debate. It reaches to the root causes and deepest convictions that impact attitudes, norms, values and practices toward the most vulnerable. The process is grounded in guiding principles from participants’ holy scriptures. CoH is more than just workshops or education, it is life transformation. It is designed to move the heart, inform the mind and motivate a sustained and effective response to significant issues. CoH does not proselytise or change people’s doctrine, but equips faith leaders to apply their sacred texts to key social issues and encourage other faith leaders to do the same.
CoH mobilises and builds on the existing competencies of community leaders, especially faith leaders and their congregations, to respond to some of the most difficult issues affecting their communities. Through this process, they are exposed to additional capacity-building efforts that may strengthen their own responses.
CoH Website
CoH Child Protection Information Flyer
