About 50 children aged from 12 to 18 from across the nation yesterday volunteered to discuss their encounters with violence in daily life as part of a UN study on violence against children.
The UN secretary-general commissioned the study in 2001 to gain an understanding of violence against children worldwide and how much has been done worldwide to ensure children's safety.
Although Taiwan is not a member of the UN, the nation has been able to participate in the study under the auspices of several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) since last year.
The Humanistic Education Foundation (HEF), the Youth Rights Organization and the Association Against the Ban on Hairstyles were then entrusted with the survey in Taiwan.
In addition to background information on the movement against physical punishment in Taiwan, the NGOs will also submit the opinions of the 50 children to the UN as part of the study.
The findings of the study will be issued by the UN in October.
Most of the participants had experienced, or were familiar with violence against children in families and schools, HEF secretary Wang Shao-wen (王劭文) said.
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The children also suggested that the government offer emotional management sessions for teachers and educate parents and teachers to talk to children in an "interesting or reasonable" way instead of using violence.
According to an investigation conducted by the foundation among 1,311 junior high and primary school students last year, more than 69 percent of the interviewees said they had been physically punished during the year.
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