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Dr Ian Hassall to be Key-Note Speaker at International Conference on Banning Corporal Punishment of Children

Ian Hassall, New Zealand’s first Commissioner for Children, will be a key-note speaker at a Stockholm workshop this month (29 & 30 June), titled, ‘Comparative social and legal developments in dealing with corporal punishment of children’.

The invitation comes exactly ten years since the passing of New Zealand’s ‘anti- smacking’ legislation – becoming one of the earlier countries and the first English-speaking country to ban corporal punishment of children. The workshop will review the legal and social effects of bans in countries that to date have banned corporate punishment; on sources of resistance to introducing the bans; on the legal frameworks currently employed and the broader context of family violence generally; and the impact of migration on cultural and legal values.

The workshop is a joint initiative between Stockholm University, and RMIT and Monash Universities, Australia.

Other countries attending along with New Zealand include Australia, Sweden, Norway, Canada, Germany, USA, Israel, Ireland, South Africa, and England.
Dr. Hassall’s attendance has been made possible by the support of The Treasure our Young Foundation in association with Parent Help.

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