Check out this new study! The first to assess the effectiveness of the NHZ bystander intervention training component exclusively.
Following the training, staff were less likely to support the use of physical punishment, more likely to support intervention when witnessing physical punishment, and demonstrated increased knowledge about the NHZ policy. These results suggest that bystander intervention training is an integral part of NHZs’ ability to establish a safe environment for children.”
The first component of the evaluated training can be viewed and downloaded here
No-Hit-Zones (NHZ) use a public health approach to prevent violence against children. NHZs include bystander intervention training, educational materials, and an organizational policy that prohibits any form of physical hitting. This study is the first to assess the effectiveness of the NHZ bystander intervention training component exclusively. Following the training, staff were less likely to support the use of physical punishment, more likely to support intervention when witnessing physical punishment, and demonstrated increased knowledge about the NHZ policy. These results suggest that bystander intervention training is an integral part of NHZs’ ability to establish a safe environment for children.
Keywords: No Hit Zone (NHZ), Physical punishment, violence prevention, Bystander intervention, child abuse
In the U.S., Child Protective Services receives approximately 3.9 million referrals annually alleging child maltreatment for 7.1 million children (Children’s Bureau, 2023). Of these referrals, 51.5% are screened in and become reports requiring further action (Children’s Bureau, 2023). Roughly 25% of child maltreatment victims experience physical abuse, making it one of the most common types of child maltreatment (Children’s Bureau, 2023; Fortson et al., 2016). However, these numbers vastly underestimate children’s exposure to physical punishment, which often occurs in private settings and goes unreported (Cuartas et al., 2020). Using a public health lens with a focus on preventing harm to children, the CDC defines physical abuse as “the use of physical force, such as hitting, kicking, shaking, burning, or other shows of force against a child,” including the use of physical punishment (Fortson et al., 2016, p. 8). Physical punishment of children, often called spanking, slapping, popping, or whooping, is linked with many types of harm and injury to children consistent with those linked to physical and emotional abuse (Afifi et al., 2017). In particular, the use of physical punishment has been consistently linked to negative outcomes such as child behavioral problems (e.g., aggressive behaviors, anti-social behaviors, impulsivity), a higher risk of develop- ing mental health disorders, and reportable physical abuse (Gershoff & Grogan-Kaylor, 2016; Heilmann et al., 2021; Ma et al., 2021; Zolotor et al., 2011). Adults who experienced physical punishment in childhood have higher odds of negative physical health outcomes including cardi- ovascular disease, obesity, and arthritis (Afifi et al., 2013).
Unfortunately, use of physical punishment remains very common. Based on estimates from two large population-based studies, approximately one-third of children aged two or younger have been spanked by a caregiver (Maguire-Jack & Gromoske, 2012; Zolotor et al., 2011). Additionally, it has been reported that 68% of children around the age of three have experienced at least one instance of physical punishment within the past month (Finkelhor et al., 2019). These findings highlight the high prevalence of physical punishment among young children. Further, most U.S. adults (i.e., 59% of men and 51% of women) believe that physical punishment is necessary for child discipline (Davern et al., 2021). The normativeness of the physical punishment of children must be shifted to reduce rates of child physical abuse (Fortson et al., 2016; Klevens & Whitaker, 2007; World Health Organization, 2010). Educational interventions that educate on the harms and ineffectiveness of physical punishment and promote alternative, positive parenting strategies are essential to changing such norms (Burkhart et al., 2018; Chavis et al., 2013; Schoemaker et al., 2018). Focusing on changing norms to prevent child physical abuse is expected to improve both acute and long-term physical, mental and behavioral health outcomes for children (Burke et al., 2011; Danese & McEwen, 2012; Norman et al., 2012).
