Faith leaders and charities take a stand on violence against children

Endorsing the recommendations of the United Nations SecretaryGeneral's Global Study on Violence Against Children, releasedyesterday, members of the UK's major faith groups and charitieswill make a commitment to protecting children from all forms ofviolence.

During a special service on Saturday 14 October at CoventryCathedral to highlight this issue, members of the Anglican,Catholic, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Methodist and Jewishcommunities as well as representatives from the NSPCC, Save theChildren, Barnardos and the Children's Society will sign a specialcharter. An initiative of the Churches' Network For Non-Violence(CNNV), the Coventry Charter for Children and Non-Violence pledgesto work in cooperation to foster respect for children, to campaignfor greater recognition of children's rights under law and tosupport all those working with children.

Ms Christine Dodd, Coordinator of the CNNV, said; 'We believe thatchildren are entitled to the same level of protection as adults andthat no form of violence against children is justifiable. Theprotection of children is the responsibility of the whole communityand working together towards a culture of respect for children is akey towards ending violence against children'.

In particular, the Charter raises concerns about the corporalpunishment of children as currently legal in the UK and the need tofoster non-violent forms of parenting. It promotes and supportschildren's human rights as set out in the United Nations Conventionon the Rights of the Child, described by Nelson Mandela in 2000 as'That luminous living document that enshrines the rights of everyliving child without exception to a life of dignity andfulfilment'.

All are welcome to attend Saturday's service at 2:30pm, which willbring together those of different faiths and none. The first of aseries of such events, it will feature a celebration of children asmade in God's likeness with a real contribution to make to familyand community life. Candles will be lit to signify the respect thatchildren deserve and to remember those around the world sufferingfrom violence.