"Raise your hand against smacking" is a Europe-wide awareness-raising initiative against corporal punishment of children, launched by the Council of Europe in June 2008. It aims at legally banning corporal punishment of children, promoting positive parenting and raising awareness of children's rights throughout Europe. No religion, belief, economic situation or "educational" method can ever justify hitting, smacking, spanking, mutilating, abusing, humiliating, or any other practice that violates a child's dignity. It is internationally recognised in human rights law that children have a right to protection from all forms of violence, including corporal punishment in all settings (home, school, penal systems, and alternative care).