Against the Vetting Database
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We believe that the Vetting Database is a misguided response to a small number of tragic, but fortunately rare, incidents involving the abuse of children. Over a third of the adult working population those who come into contact with children through their work or volunteering - will be subject to continuous criminal records vetting. This could include babysitters and private tutors, as well as those who merely have access to information about children. The massive expansion of vetting is driven by suspicion and paranoia. The Criminal Records Bureau has already carried out millions of checks since 2002, and it is now common practice to vet anybody from 16-year-olds teaching younger kids to read, to parents helping out in school, to the visitors to foster carers homes.
Such child protection procedures do little to protect children from the small number of individuals who would do them harm. Instead, they damage adult-child relations and undermine the capacity of adults to contribute to childrens welfare. Vetting calls into question the informal ways adults in a community collaborate in rearing children: from the local enthusiast running a football team, to the volunteer who helps out at school. Adults become more concerned with covering their backs than passing on their insights to the next generation. Children become a no-go area: local sports teams and youth groups are struggling to find volunteers; some teachers are scared to put a plaster on a childs knee; and there are worrying cases of adults passing by injured or endangered children. We call for a more rational approach to adult-child interactions, and for the Vetting Database to be urgently reconsidered.
Such child protection procedures do little to protect children from the small number of individuals who would do them harm. Instead, they damage adult-child relations and undermine the capacity of adults to contribute to childrens welfare. Vetting calls into question the informal ways adults in a community collaborate in rearing children: from the local enthusiast running a football team, to the volunteer who helps out at school. Adults become more concerned with covering their backs than passing on their insights to the next generation. Children become a no-go area: local sports teams and youth groups are struggling to find volunteers; some teachers are scared to put a plaster on a childs knee; and there are worrying cases of adults passing by injured or endangered children. We call for a more rational approach to adult-child interactions, and for the Vetting Database to be urgently reconsidered.
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Goal
350 signatures
Goal: 100
Latest Signatures
14 January 2016
5 January 2016
349.
Alison S
|
Position (eg teacher/parent/volunteer)
volunteer and parent
this creates suspicion and mistrust among all adults, and undermines adult authority
9 November 2015
348.
Malcolm Victorygreenp
|
Position (eg teacher/parent/volunteer)
candidate for West Worcestershire
Too much bureaucracy makes a less equal society
7 November 2015
29 October 2015
346.
Graham W
|
Position (eg teacher/parent/volunteer)
Grandparent
The idea is damaging to intergenerational relationships and totally unnecessary.
1 September 2015
345.
John K
|
Position (eg teacher/parent/volunteer)
Volunteer
This year will be my tweflth and last time volunteering for a charity which has brought me much happiness and satisfaction, and my decision is entirely due to the Vetting Database.
24 August 2015
3 August 2015
343.
Piers H
|
This furthers the idea that natural interaction of adults and children is a suspicious circumstance rather than the lifeblood of social evolution. It has the effect of criminalizing and stigmatizing innocent human contact and is barmy beyond the realms of
31 July 2015
26 July 2015
341.
Steve David
|
Position (eg teacher/parent/volunteer)
Parent
Yet another measure to crank up paranoia.. Get enough to be terrified, and the monster is fed. Hence why we had morons in Plymouth attack a pediatrician's home! It's all to do with herding the masses into bei
22 July 2015
340.
Mark I
|
Position (eg teacher/parent/volunteer)
Architect, parent and volunteer
Against paranoia and the inderming of adult / child relations for a brighter future!
22 July 2015
339.
Melissa H
|
I'm neither a teacher, parent or volunteer, but this new law chills me to the bone and makes me want to emigrate.
20 July 2015
338.
Josie A
|
Position (eg teacher/parent/volunteer)
convenor, Manifesto Club
We need to take every opportunity over next year to expose this surreal and poisonous database; together we can turn it around, because its consequences would be truly terrible, for everyday
10 July 2015
337.
Patrick M
|
Position (eg teacher/parent/volunteer)
parent
Your innocent of all allegations in court, you make the police work look silly, so they then get you back with writing untruth, without fact (there opinion) on an enhanced CRB, which will take years, if ever
7 July 2015
4 July 2015
22 June 2015
334.
Gillian S
|
I don't work with children or vulnerable adults as I am not cut out for caring roles. I recently attended an open day for volunteers at my local CAB. Later, I discovered that they would run a CRB check for all accepted volunteers. I decided not to continu
26 May 2015
333.
Lisa D
|
Position (eg teacher/parent/volunteer)
parent/home educator
Innocent until proven guilty. Not the other way round.
5 April 2015
332.
Matthew P
|
We need protection from intrusion by own government more than we do from our communities.
28 March 2015
12 February 2015
11 February 2015
8 February 2015
30 January 2015
327.
Annamarya T
|
Position (eg teacher/parent/volunteer)
community artist
the requirements of having a CRB check prevent me from legitimately applying for work in casual and contract positions
8 January 2015
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