Child protection measures 'increase risk to children'
Thursday, 26 Jun 2008 00:01
The reports says children need contact with a range of adults from their community
A thinktank has claimed that the escalation of child protection measures has had the opposite effect and in fact increased the risks to children.
A report published by Civitas today claims the "dramatic" increase in protection measures has "succeeded in poisoning the relationship between the generations and creating an atmosphere of suspicion".
In the report, professor Frank Furedi from the University of Kent, claims that children need contact with a range of adults from their community in their education and socialisation.
"This form of collaboration, which has traditionally underpinned intergenerational relationships, is now threatened by a regime that insists that adult-child encounters must be mediated through a security check," professor Furedi said.
The thinktank also raises concerns over the Independent Safeguarding Authority, due to be rolled out in October 2009, which it claims will lead to the Criminal Records Bureau checking over 11 million people – more than one quarter of the adult population of England.
A "culture of fear" now exists within adults where they think twice before interacting with other people's children, the report suggests.
Professor Furedi adds: "When parents feel in need of official reassurance that other parents have passed the paedophile test before they even start on the pleasantries, this indicates that something has gone badly wrong in our communities."
Today's report also declares there exists an unhealthy "atmosphere of mistrust" in society where adults suspect other adults and children are taught to suspect anyone other than their parents.