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Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth

The Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth was developed by a national coalition of organizations facilitated by the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Based on an extensive review of research, the Joint Statement provides an overview of the developmental outcomes associated with the use of physical punishment. The evidence is clear and compelling — physical punishment of children and youth plays no useful role in their upbringing and poses only risks to their development. The conclusion is equally compelling — parents should be strongly encouraged to develop alternative and positive approaches to discipline.

The pre-publication edition of the Joint Statement was endorsed by 138 Canadian organizations concerned with the well-being of children and youth and, by invitation, a number of distinguished Canadians. These endorsers were acknowledged in the first edition of the Joint Statement, which was launched at CHEO on September 29, 2004. The document is now in its fourth printing and, at this update of the website, 370 organizations and several more distinguished Canadians are acknowledged for their endorsements. They are listed in the PDF below which is updated monthly. A second edition of the Joint Statement will update research, Canadian and international developments regarding physical punishment, and the list of endorsers. Endorsements continue to be received and are welcome.

In November, 2006, the Joint Statement initiative received the Ted Freedman Innovation in Education Award. This prestigious international award recognizes individuals and organizations that inspire, advocate and enable education in health care.

You may view and download from the PDF's below: the Joint Statement; its executive summary; endorsers’ names; a note to potential endorsers; confirmation of endorsement form; memos to endorsers about physical punishment; a poster; backgrounders for the education, sports/recreation, and business communities; articles on physical punishment and children’s health and on physical punishment of children in sport and recreation; and a guide on positive discipline. You are welcome to circulate the documents as they are written (in hard copy or electronically), to link with this CHEO webpage, or to quote the Joint Statement with appropriate acknowledgment. Inquiries and endorsements may be directed as follows: email ; fax 613-738-4801; or postal address CHEO, Outreach and Community Development, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1.

Joint Statement: The full first edition of the document. (664 KB Adobe Acrobat^® PDF file)

Executive Summary: A synopsis of the Joint Statement. (32 KB Adobe Acrobat^® PDF file)

Names of Endorsers: (updated February 1, 2010) The names of organizations and distinguished Canadians that have endorsed the Joint Statement. 258 KB Adobe Acrobat^® PDF file)

Note to Potential Endorsers: (updated November 8, 2009) Describes the background of the initiative and the endorsement process. (37 KB Adobe Acrobat^® PDF file)

Confirmation of Endorsement Form: (updated November 8, 2009) Can be completed, or a brief letter written, and forwarded to us to convey your organization's endorsement of the Joint Statement. (25 KB Adobe Acrobat^® PDF file)

Memos to Endorsers of the Joint Statement: (updated December 14, 2009) Periodic memos sent to endorsers on Canadian and international developments regarding physical punishment of children. (479 KB Adobe Acrobat^® PDF file)

Poster: (updated July 1, 2009) Summary of the key findings, conclusion, key recommendations, endorsements and impact of the Joint Statement. (448 KB Adobe Acrobat^® PDF file)

Backgrounders: (updated September 17, 2009) Brief discussion papers on the implications of research findings on physical punishment of children for the education, sports/recreation, and business communities. (40 KB Adobe Acrobat^® PDF)

Physical Punishment and Children's Health: An article written by Joan Durrant and Ron Ensom by invitation of IMPrint, published by Infant Mental Health Promotion (IMP). (112 KB Adobe Acrobat^® PDF file)

Physical Punishment of Children in Sport and Recreation: An article written by Ron Ensom and Joan Durrant by invitation of Coaches PLAN du coach, published by Coaches of Canada. (284 KB Adobe Acrobat^® PDF file)

Positive Discipline: What it is and how to do it. A guide written by Dr. Joan Durrant that describes how parents can effectively discipline their children while respecting their human rights. The guide may be viewed and downloaded for free from this PDF. (2.62 MB Adobe Acrobat^® PDF file) Hard copies can be ordered from FRP Canada using this order form.