Resolution on Violence Against Children by Governments

Whereas violence toward children which is encouraged or tolerated by governments of any country represents an affront to civilized society and a social concern of all responsible people;

Whereas psychologists cannot in good conscience remain silent in the face of such abuse;

Whereas the American Psychological Association is also obligated to support our colleagues in other countries when they courageously speak out against such abuses;

Whereas the American Psychological Association has in the past spoken out against the government sponsored violations of children's rights (e.g., the imprisonment of Black children in South Africa);

Therefore be it resolved that the American Psychological Association will, as a matter of policy, consider, upon documentation of such abuses of children's rights, resolutions protesting such abuses and expressing solidarity with our colleagues who protest such abuses within their own country (Fox, 1989).