There have been several articles recently on how this hysteria about potential pedophiles has essentially poisoned relationships between men and children. I hope that somehow it starts to help but is it too late?
Friends of mine in the teaching profession were telling me this ten years ago. Stuff like not being able to comfort a traumatised child who desperately needs a hug - having to actually keep palming them away as they try to get closer with outstretched arms - because the school can't afford to have a staff member reported as a possible pedo. It's soul-destroying for all involved.
A good friend of my mother's had been teaching primary school for 20 years when he was accused of something like that. The police after an investigation found there to be absolutely no substance at all.
The education ministry still demanded his resignation then sacked him when he refused. Took about 2 years of court battles to get rehired.
There was also a case a few years back of an elderly local priest who had apparently been tutoring some of the local students. Later that year he was handing our awards and when one of the girls he had tutored won one of the prizes he kissed her on the cheek when he handed over the award.
And next day was asked to resign.
WTF? but yeah I mean as a thirty year old guy I would hesitate before directly coming to the aid of a child in distress (unless it was immediate danger) just because of all the shit that goes around.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2008-08-08 01:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-08 01:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-08 02:02 am (UTC)The education ministry still demanded his resignation then sacked him when he refused. Took about 2 years of court battles to get rehired.
There was also a case a few years back of an elderly local priest who had apparently been tutoring some of the local students. Later that year he was handing our awards and when one of the girls he had tutored won one of the prizes he kissed her on the cheek when he handed over the award.
And next day was asked to resign.
WTF? but yeah I mean as a thirty year old guy I would hesitate before directly coming to the aid of a child in distress (unless it was immediate danger) just because of all the shit that goes around.