TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

A UNICEF report published in 2010 states that 77% of children aged 2-14 experienced violent discipline (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in 2005-2006. More than half experienced physical punishment, while a smaller percentage (25%) of mothers and caregivers thought that physical punishment was necessary in childrearing, and non-violent discipline was also widely used: experienced by 89% of children. One child in twenty experienced severe physical punishment (being hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or being hit over and over with an implement) and 68% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted). Children aged 2-4 were more likely to experience violent discipline than older children: 83% of children aged 2-4 compared to 79% of children aged 5-9 and 74% of children aged 10-14. No significant differences in children’s experience of violent discipline were found according to sex, household size, level of education of adults in the household 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 eight 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)