Many Canadians reacted in horror earlier this month on learning that the Russian parliament had approved a law making it legal to assault family members.
According to a survey, 19 per cent of Russians said it can be acceptable to hit one’s wife, husband or child in certain circumstances. In 2013 more than 9,000 Russian women were reported to have been killed in domestic violence, and critics argue this new law could encourage an even greater level of family violence.
The Russian Orthodox Church authorities believe “the reasonable and loving use of physical punishment is an essential part of the rights given to parents by God himself”.
But Canadians need to re-think their reaction of outrage at this news. Canada also has a law on the books which not only permits family violence, it provides legal protection for the person who commits the violence.
It’s called Section 43 of the Criminal Code. “Every schoolteacher, parent or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force by way of correction toward a pupil or child, as the case may be, who is under his care, if the force does not exceed what is reasonable under the circumstances.”
“We firmly believe that Violence against children should be against the law, not defined by it”, says Kathy Lynn, who heads up Corinne’s Quest, an organization devoted to repeal of Section 43.
“Canada has had laws which permitted beating
slaves,
servants,
Sailors,
apprentices,
prisoners,
dogs,
wives and
children.
In today’s Canada, only children are still on that list”, she said.
“That’s just wrong. And it’s not who Canadians are.
“This is not a child discipline issue. It’s a human rights issue. All Canadians, whatever their age, deserve the protection of law against violence in any form.
The research is clear. Physical punishment of children carries risk factors for the child including self-esteem problems and future aggressive behaviour.
The point is that we have this antiquated law. It can easily be repealed. It is not necessary in our country.”
Today is Family Day in BC and next Monday, February 20, Family Day will be celebrated in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. It is a good day to note that children and adults are safe in their homes in our country. Let’s celebrate National Family Day by having our homes be safe refuges for our children.
The federal government simply needs to repeal Section 43 of the criminal code.
Editors: Contact Kathy Lynn at 604-258-9074 or at Kathy@ParentingToday.ca