Every year on April 30th, the Day of Non-Violent Upbringing takes place. The Bremen Child Protection Association (Kinderschutzbund Bremen e.V.) advocates for children and young people's right to a non-violent upbringing. Furthermore, the Child Protection Association emphasizes that protecting children from violence is a responsibility shared by society as a whole.
Violence can have serious consequences
Violence in any form, whether physical or psychological, leaves lasting scars and can have serious consequences for a child's development and life. For 25 years, Section 1631 Paragraph 2 of the German Civil Code (BGB) has explicitly prohibited physical and psychological violence against children in Germany. Nevertheless, many children and young people experience violence within their own families.
Shared responsibility for a non-violent upbringing
Parents, educators, teachers, and society as a whole share responsibility for ensuring children grow up in a violence-free environment. "Through positive parenting methods, support, and non-violent conflict resolution, we can contribute to children growing up in a loving and respectful environment," says Iris von Engeln, Managing Director of the Bremen Child Protection Association.
Cooperation between the Youth and Children's Rights Office and daycare playhouses
Children and young people know very well what they need to grow up well and safely. In cooperation with the playhouses of Kita Bremen on Pfälzer Weg and Wischmannstraße, the Youth and Children's Rights Office of the German Child Protection Association (Kinderschutzbund) conducted a holiday project in which the participating children could express what is important to them and what they wish for from their parents and other adults.
Children's wishes: A childhood without any form of violence
“The children made it clear that they want support from their parents and that they want to spend more time together. Many children also mentioned love and trust,” says Lillemor Kuht, an employee of the German Child Protection Association. “What adults should absolutely not do is also crystal clear to the children: not hit, yell at, or threaten; not lock them up or be mean – this clearly shows that children want a childhood without any form of violence.”
Results and interactive stations on April 30th
On April 30th, staff from the Bremen Child Protection Association will be visiting the play centers on Pfälzer Weg (Tenever) and Wischmannstraße (Kattenturm) to discuss the children's collected wishes and needs. From 3 pm to 5 pm, the results of the holiday project will be on display, and various interactive stations will be available.
For example, children can create a poster for their room rules or make a door sign. There will be an information booth for parents and the opportunity to discuss topics related to family life. "We warmly invite all children and interested adults to come along and explore the topic from a child's perspective," said Kuht.
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Children's and Family Center Spielhaus/Treff Pfälzer Weg (Wormser Str. 18/19, 28325 Bremen, Tenever)
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Children's and Family Center Wischmannstraße (Wischmannstr. 16a, 28277 Bremen, Kattenturm)
For 70 years, the German Child Protection Association (Kinderschutzbund) has been actively shaping child protection in Bremen. It operates a variety of services for children, young people, and families, as well as for professionals. Its focus is on prevention and protection from violence. At the same time, it actively participates in policy discussions. The dedicated full-time and volunteer staff perform a vital service to the inclusion and protection of disadvantaged children, young people, and families. Through its Youth and Children's Rights Office, the Bremen branch of the German Child Protection Association is an active advocate for children's rights.
Source: German Child Protection Association, Bremen State Branch, Press Release , April 25, 2025