POLICY ON THE TREATMENT OF CHILDREN

Matthew 18:10

"See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven".

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out the basic human rights to which children everywhere are entitled.

These include:
• The right to survival
• The right to the development of their full physical and mental potential
• The right to protection from influences that are harmful to their development
• The right to participation in family, cultural and social life

Saint Katharina Kasper, Letter 65 January 16, 1880
"Go on giving a good example among the children, as you did here, then you can and will do much good. I said that already. Pray for them daily, commending them to God's protection. You will see how God blesses what you do. We cannot always succeed in making all the children good. The good God will be content if we do what we can."

As Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, we respect all children and all persons no matter the age, color, gender, culture.

Therefore in all cultures under no circumstances do we as Religious Sisters tolerate the beating, hitting, or abuse of children in any of our institutions. No Sister or employee will mistreat a child for any reason. Only appropriate non-violent speech and behavior is to be used in correcting a child.