Religious Groups make Commitment to Ending Violence against Children

An Ecumenical Civic Service dedicated to children and non-violence was held at Coventry Cathedral on October 2006 to mark the lauch of the Report of the UN Global Study on Violence against Children. During the service, the Coventry Charter for Children and Non-violence was dedicated and signed by people of different faiths and children's charities. The Charter promotes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and provides a framework for religious communities to address the recommendations of the UN Study, including working with others to eliminate violence, promote positive discipline and advocate for prohibition of corporal punishment.

The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Shabbir Ahmed led the signing of the Charter with a statement of dedication.

The Study is the first global, human rights based study on violence against children. Professor Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro the Independent Expert leading the study said:

"The challenge for the Study and States is to move societies on from attitudes which tolerate and approve any form or level of violence against children and to assert the status of children as individuals with the same right to respect for their human dignity andphysical integrity as the rest of us."

A message from Professor Paulo Pinheiro was read at the beginning of the service.

Click here to read Professor Pinheiro's message

Click here for the Children's Charter

Click here for a copy of the service

Click here for the United Nations Violence Study website: www.violencestudy.org