Generosity soon to be a criminal offense?
@zoey7879 (3092)
Quincy, Illinois
September 11, 2009 1:29am CST
Launched next month, it will be the biggest vetting and clearing system in the world.
Every person who comes into regular contact with children or the elderly, through work or volunteering, must be approved by ISA officials checking for criminal convictions, disciplinary action and even unproven allegations.
It goes way beyond the current Criminal Records Bureau system, which covers only 6million people.
For the first time, 300,000 school governors, dinner ladies and parents who visit schools or nurseries to read to children will be involved.
It will even apply to parents who, at the request of organisations like junior football teams or the Guides, give their children's friends lifts to or from events.
If they do so without first being vetted by the ISA's 200 staff, they could be fined up to £5,000 and given a criminal record.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1212637/Now-Big-Brother-targets-helpful-parents-1-4-Britons-vetted-giant-new-child-protection-database.html
Oh my... I have to wonder how long until the US tries something like this.... I used to want to live in England/The UK when I was younger, but as I see stuff like this becoming a reality more and more, I'm glad that I never did make that move.
Anyone else find this disturbing?
3 responses
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
11 Sep 09
Hi zoey, if it saves some lives, I dont c how it can be so wrong. After all, pedophiles are harsh reality. Children who come across them really suffer gult and harassment for ages. It may even turn them into schizophrenics, inclined to kill people when the foul mood takes over. How secure can life be if such things start happening frequently? It is really unfortunate that they have taken charity as route to go about their ugly intentions. If they have to be cleared, I guess that is one way. However, it is doubtful that a child of 6 will be asking an adult to show any card that is issued after such vetting. She is hardly likely to understand the difference between a driving licence, credit card, or any such card. How they propose to bring down such crimes with this effort remains a mystery to me. In that light, I must say such Herculean effort is waste of both manpower and monetary resources.
@zoey7879 (3092)
• Quincy, Illinois
11 Sep 09
It's not going to solve the problem.. and nowhere near it. Those violated by known people and relatives often remain silent or don't identify their assailants. Again, scarlet letter, bright and pretty in the middle of the forehead. It lets us all know who already has been arrested for these crimes and only violates the violator - the rest o the law abiding world can go on enjoying their freedom.
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
11 Sep 09
I did get that bit of article though zoey, and that is the reason I said 6 year old asking for that card if she wants to be dropped back from school. But there is another point that I wanted to make, which I forgot to add. Generally, pedophiles are known folks. Neighbors, and relatives. So the child is going to trust the person whether he or she has the card or not! So why do something that is not going to serve any purpose. I would accept if it will solve the problem. It is not guaranteed!
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
11 Sep 09
You have saved me a discussion Zoey. The Government are unceasing in their attempts to treat us like criminals. I just don't know why they don't "vet" us all - especially parents. I am reminded of when I was at school. Someone in the class did something wrong and the whole class got punished until the culprit owned up. I wonder how many school governors will resign over this. I used to belong to a fishing club that once a year gave a "Try Fishing" day for youngsters. We had to give up because the men that ran it had to get themselves "Checked". Supporters will say "If you have nothing to hide than this won't be a problem". I say, if you have nothing to hide why should you be treated like you are hiding something. The UK is now the most surveilled state in Europe. We have more "security" laws that impinge on our personal freedoms than anywhere else in Europe. Our history and scenery is glorious. Just a shame that we can't take the children to see it without an official permit!
@zoey7879 (3092)
• Quincy, Illinois
11 Sep 09
Yikes... Yknow... I've always been quite proud of my family history there and the names that hang in the family tree...the more and more I hear from friends there, the more shamed I get and have no desire to go...
The famz from Warwickshire.
I have to wonder how long until my own country gets more and more this way..
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
11 Sep 09
I'm afraid the statistics for child abuse are to blame. It is alarming to think that 1 in 4 children will be abused before the age of 18.
Here in Australia most States if not all, have child protection policies of some sort. In Queensland, we have had a Suitability Card for about 10 years. Everyone who works at or visits a school or child care facility, everyone (paid or volunteer) who is at a children's or youth group (such as Scouts, Church groups, Red Cross etc)or has any dealings with any children, MUST have a Suitability Card. Gaining one of these cards includes a police check.
It isn't infallible, as proven child molesters have been found to be holders of a card, but it is a help in child protection and anything that helps in this area meets my approval.
@zoey7879 (3092)
• Quincy, Illinois
11 Sep 09
Nod.. most states in the industrial world have rules like that.. "Position of Authority background checks"
But they're talking about punishing Mrs. Smith too, if she takes Mrs. Thompson's kid to school as a neighborly gesture.
I think enough freedoms have already been lost to deter idiots, yet.. here they remain...... It's not going to curb crap, those determined will just find other avenues and ends to meet their means. The government turns convicted criminals loose out onto the streets everyday. Tag them like cattle, I shouldn't be forced to or imposed upon because some Creepy Chester convinced the parole board that he won't go touching Harry's willy the second he's out.
The government is more interested in having control than they are protecting the citizens, otherwise these people that are caught and convicted simply (who are never proven innocent) wouldn't have appeals and parole. They'd spend their lives in prison or be executed. Oh oh but omg.. that's inhumane.... Well, so is little Joanie Jones' mommy bumping into her killer on the street 25 years later. How long until you have to have a special certification or card to own an electronic device with communicative capability... Who knows.. maybe they'll start issuing them just so we can breed *eyeroll*
