TV campaign highlights pain of verbal abuse

Child protection groups in France have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of verbal abuse against children.

It is the first time the annual children's rights campaign has focused on verbal rather than physical violence.

A powerful TV advert will be broadcast on several French TV channels from Friday, September 15, until International Day of the Rights of the Child on November 20, as part of the StopVeo campaign to focus on the issue of the possible long-term damage that carelessly chosen words from parents or other responsible adults can cause.

In the film, five adults recall the words that hurt them as children - and which they still carry with them.

To see the ad, click here

"All verbal abuse can have an affect on children," campaign co-ordinator Gilles Lazimi told Europe 1. "The aim is not to blame but to reflect."