Evidence indicates that physical punishment can lead to increased anxiety or depression in adulthood, and the likelihood of people engaging in violence in later life.
There are alternative effective discipline practices that don’t involve physical punishment. These evidence-based practices can help increase children’s understanding of why they are being helped to recognise that certain behaviours are not desirable.
Sixty-six countries have legislated against the use of physical punishment on children and a further 27 countries have committed to doing so. Why is Australia not one of them?

In this podcast we speak with Professor Daryl Higgins, director of the Institute of Child Protection Studies at Australian Catholic University (ACU) and member of Ending Physical Punishment of Australian Children (EPPAC) advocacy campaign.

As loneliness comes into the spotlight it is important that we all do whatever we can to redress it, not only for our own sakes but also for those close to us and in our community.  KCV endorses this paper issued by Relationships Australia and urges you to read and share it about.

Regards,
Anne McLeish
Director

End physical punishment of children – protect Australian children

1,256 people have signed this petition to end physical punishment of Australian children.

In 1979, Sweden was the first country in the world to prohibit all physical punishment of children, including in the home. As of September 2022, 63 countries, including New Zealand, have done the same. Lawmakers in these countries listened to the experts in the field. They also listened to over 50 years of research that demonstrates the negative outcomes associated with the physical or corporal punishment of children.

It’s time Australia listened too! We need to prioritize the safety of children. This petition is calling on you to help a campaign to end physical punishment of children.

Please sign and ask others to sign the petition, which will be sent to Federal and State Attorneys General urging them to change legislation:

According to recent figures from the Grattan Institute, about one in three of Australian children struggle to read proficiently. But what can be done about it? Grandparents and other carers can play a vital role in helping encourage the children in their care to read more – and even develop a love of reading.

In this episode of ABC Darwin’s NT Sundays, presenter Lyrella Couzens and director of Grandparents Australia Anne McLeish discuss this alarming phenomenon, the effects of societal change on children’s relationship to reading, how the teaching of reading can be improved – especially with online technology – and how we as a society can become more proactive at instilling an interest in children in books and help them experience the enjoyment that can bring.