CHILD AND STUDENT PROTECTION

The Basics

The First Church of Druwayu holds a clear position:

Children should never be subjected to physical violence or psychological abuse—whether in schools, at home, or anywhere else. We reject any ideology or practice that promotes physical violence as a form of "necessary discipline."

Unfortunately, many schools still engage in corporal punishment, a primitive and harmful practice that includes actions such as flogging, beating, branding, and other unnecessary physical restraints.
In some cases, children are even subjected to solitary confinement or deprived of basic needs, such as access to a bathroom, causing health problems and exposing them to humiliation and bullying.
This often leads to long-term emotional and psychological damage, reinforcing cycles of abuse and violence.

The Problem with Corporal Punishment

School administrators often justify corporal punishment under alternative terms like "physical discipline," but this does not change its nature. It is, at its core, the use of physical force—regardless of severity—to deliberately cause bodily pain or discomfort in response to "undesired" behavior.

The vagueness of what constitutes "undesired behavior" is troubling, as it can encompass something as minor as a student falling asleep in class or laughing at an inappropriate moment.
Moreover, there are no clear checks or balances to determine when force becomes excessive or whether it is justified.
Such practices are not only unnecessary but also perpetuate a culture of violence, harming children rather than helping them.

Addressing Misconceptions

There is a misconception that no religious organizations have historically stood against violence and abuse, particularly when it involves children. This is untrue. Many religious groups, both past and present, have launched public campaigns against the abusive treatment of children (and adults, especially those with disabilities), both in and out of schools.

Religious organizations have also reported instances of abuse within their own ranks, involving law enforcement to remove abusers despite the personal risks of doing so.
However, it is also true that many institutions—religious and non-religious—have been complicit in covering up such cases.
To focus solely on religion as a source of these abuses, or to exclude it from discussions of prevention and eradication, would be a mistake.
Many communities of faith actively provide resources, support, and advocacy for children and families in need.

Ultimately, abusers exist across all spectrums of belief or non-belief. Within Druwayu, we uphold Article 14 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, 1989), which recognizes children’s right to religion, as well as Article 30, which upholds their right to practice their religion. However, our policy is that Druwayu teachings are not imparted to children by clergy. Instead, parents' guide their children until they reach the age of 18, at which point they are free to choose whether to learn about Druwayu.

A Clear Stance on Violence

Unless someone—child or adult—engages in actual acts of physical violence, no one deserves to be punished with violence. Both children and adults deserve protection from abuse, and abusers, regardless of age, must face equal accountability for their actions. While children cannot be "fired," they can be expelled from school or, in severe cases, sent to juvenile detention. However, these facilities must also be carefully monitored, as abuses within such environments are disturbingly common.

No one who is physically abused or subjected to assault should be punished for defending themselves.
Detaining all involved parties for investigation is reasonable, but even prisoners are afforded basic human rights, such as access to toilets and hygiene facilities.
Teachers, administrators, or staff members in schools—public or private—have no right to engage in psychological abuse such as bullying, humiliation, or mockery, nor to groom children with personal ideologies disguised as education.
Similarly, students must not target teachers or staff with violence.

Ensuring Accountability in Schools

Teachers do have the right to remove disruptive students from classrooms, but such actions must be based on valid and proven reasons, not hearsay or subjective assumptions. Parents should also have the right to supervise classrooms unannounced, record evidence of abusive behaviors, and review any claims made by school administrators about their children. This is necessary to counter instances where students collectively gang up on individuals to deflect bullying onto others.

Teachers who engage in abusive actions must be terminated immediately once evidence confirms their misconduct.
At the same time, it is important to recognize that children are not always innocent of false claims.
Balancing accountability and fairness are crucial to addressing abuse while preventing oversimplified narratives that allow harmful practices to continue.

A Call for Fair Treatment

Violence and abuse have no place in a just society, and protecting children from such harm requires vigilance, fairness, and transparency. While no one is immune to dishonesty, oversimplifying or ignoring abuses until they escalate into tragedies is unacceptable. By fostering a culture of accountability and respect, we can work to ensure that no child’s life is lost or irreparably harmed due to preventable injustices.