SURINAME

A UNICEF report published in 2010 states that 86% of children aged 2-14 experienced violent discipline (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in 2005-2006. Sixty-two per cent experienced physical punishment, while a smaller percentage (17%) of mothers and caregivers thought that physical punishment was necessary in childrearing, and non-violent discipline was also widely used: experienced by 95% of children. One child in ten experienced severe physical punishment (being hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or being hit over and over with an implement) and 81% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted). Children living in households with adults with a higher average level of education were less likely to experience violent discipline than those living with less educated adults. No significant differences in children’s experience of violent discipline were found according to sex, age, household size or engagement in child labour. 

(UNICEF, 2010, Child Disciplinary Practices at Home: Evidence from a Range of Low- and Middle-Income Countries, NY: UNICEF)

According to statistics from UNICEF on violence in the family, in 2005-2006 nine per cent of disabled children aged 2-9 were hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or hit over and over as hard as possible with an implement, compared with 8% of non-disabled children. Thirteen per cent of girls and women aged 15-49 thought that a husband is justified in hitting or beating his wife under certain circumstances.

(UNICEF, 2009,  Progress for Children: A report card on child protection, NY: UNICEF)

In a survey conducted by the Teachers Training College in 1999, 12.9% of parents reported that they applied corporal punishment; 50% endorsed the use of corporal punishment in school.

(Reported in second state party report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (2005), CRC/C/SUR/2, para. 59)