The joint initiative by Children 1st and the police Violence ReductionUnit hopes to raise awareness of the impact of emotional and physicalviolence on children and highlight the importance of how parents speakto them.
The poster will be sent out to nurseries, schools, playgroups, librariesand doctors' surgeries across Scotland. It features an image of a childwith harsh words scrawled across their face and gives the number ofParentLine, Scotland's confidential helpline.
Children 1st has also published a leaflet with advice for parents onpraising children, imposing rules and boundaries and seeking familysupport.
Chief executive Anne Houston said, 'Our helpline receives many callsfrom parents who feel guilty for shouting at or hitting their children,and who are looking for less damaging ways to discipline. We wouldencourage any parent who is stressed, frustrated or worried to give us acall, talk through the alternatives and take the first step to breakingthe cycle of violence in Scotland.'
Detective chief superintendent John Carnochan, head of the ViolenceReduction Unit, added, 'Everybody knows children imitate the behaviourof those who look after them. And if they learn to resolve conflict withviolence or anger, then we should not be surprised to see them carry onthat pattern of behaviour with their own children. Who among us wants tosee that?'
FURTHER INFORMATION
www.children1.org.uk.