Volunteers from a number of civil society organizations during several months will distribute informational brochures and will carry out activities aimed at preventing the corporal punishment of children within the campaign “Violence cannot be a tradition. Give up beating!”. The campaign was launched by the National Center for Child Abuse Prevention on May 30, IPN reports.

Attending the launch, acting Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Moldovanu said that Moldova has an efficient legal framework, which protects the children from violence. “We think that the local public administration and society will join this campaign. Legislation we have. We only have to ensure communication and involvement,” said the official.

According to the Center’s head Daniela Samboteanu, violence in Moldova is passed on from generation to generation and is a phenomenon that is hard to be combated. “Violence must be stopped. We must encourage non-violent education,” she stated.

Mariana Ianachevici, head of the Alliance of Active NGOs in Social Protection of Child and Family, said that no child deserves being abused, while the educative methods used by some of the parents, with the belt and rod, cause only harm in the development of the child. “Children must be brought up with love. They must have a peaceful family and this is the parents’ homework,” she added.

According to official data, 198 cases of violence against children were reported over the last four months. The number is on the rise compared with a year before.