Monthly Archives: July 2016

NSPCC Offers Advice To Parents Concerned About Their Children Being Radicalised

29 Friday Jul 2016

Posted by in child abuse, Researching Reform

≈ 2 Comments

The NSPCC has just opened a helpline for parents who are worried that their children may be being recruited by Daesh.

Callers have been given training to advise parents on signs to watch for, although the source of the training is unknown. The article does not explain what legal and other forms of advice the charity can offer should a child be preparing to leave for Syria.

The charity does offer this tentative list though, which they say could ‘hint’ at a child being radicalised:

  • Isolating themselves from family and friends
  • Talking as if from a scripted speech
  • Showing increased levels of anger
  • Becoming disrespectful and asking inappropriate questions.

The article outlining the NSPCC’s new initiative (linked to above), also offers case studies of children who left the UK to travel to Syria to join Daesh, and interestingly, sheds light on some of the reasons children chose to join the movement. Some believed it was a way to become a better Muslim, others wanted to be part of something special. Crucially, others felt that the West was responsible for Muslim suffering around the world, particularly in Gaza.

NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless explains that: “The fact that a young person might hold extreme or radical views is not a safeguarding issue in itself. But when young people are groomed for extremist purposes and encouraged to commit acts that could hurt themselves or others, then it becomes abuse.”

Several thought-provoking discussions stem from this development:

  • At what point does radicalisation become abuse and at what age, if any does the appropriation of an ideology become the sole responsibility of a minor?
  • Are there underlying parenting concerns we should be exploring to try to understand why some children are looking to belong to a movement or cause that promises to glorify them, in this context through violence?
  • And how do we effectively balance child rights and child protection in a conversation about preteen and teenage ideological experimentation which has the potential to lead to a child’s death?

We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Researching Reform does not use the terms Islamic State, Isis or ISIL – if you’d like to know more about the significance of these names, this helpful article from the BBC is worth a read.

If you are worried about a child, you can call the police, or NSPCC helpline added below.

NSPCC

 

The Buzz

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by in Researching Reform, The Buzz

≈ 5 Comments

Child welfare news from around the world:

Buzz

Conference: Protecting Children from Unnecessary Genital Surgeries

26 Tuesday Jul 2016

Posted by in Circumcision, FGM, Human Rights

≈ 2 Comments

Charity Genital Autonomy is holding its next symposium at Keele University on 14-16 September, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Genital Autonomy is also a concept, sometimes defined as the freedom and moral independence of every human being to choose what to do with his or her sexual organs. This right can be removed from children for religious or perceived hygiene reasons, despite growing evidence showing that non-medical genital surgery is incredibly painful for children and does not protect against disease. Practices which are often discussed when looking at Genital Autonomy include Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and circumcision.

The charity’s aim is to promote, preserve and protect the health and well-being of male, female and intersex children by protecting them from unnecessary genital surgery or modification; and to promote the human rights of children in relation to genital surgery or modification as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights Of the Child throughout the world.

The symposium’s speakers are leaders in their fields and should make for a very interesting and progressive conference in an area where little research still exists. The conference itself aims to expand on new developments and take issues surrounding genital autonomy forward.

The agenda for the conference will include thought-provoking debates such as, “Cultural v. cosmetic surgery: Challenging the Distinction,” which has been put forward by Clare Chambers, who is University Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Cambridge. The Abstract for her topic of discussion is added below:

“There is a general consensus in liberal theory, practice, and law that female genital mutilation (FGM) is a violation of rights and justice that should be banned. However, there is no such consensus about male circumcision or cosmetic surgery, including cosmetic genital surgery. These practices are legal in most liberal states and there is no general critique of them in mainstream liberal theory. This talk will consider and challenge the philosophical reasons in favour of distinguishing FGM from male circumcision and labiaplasty. There is no clear distinction between “cultural” genital surgery and “cosmetic” genital surgery, so that male circumcision and cosmetic surgery should be regulated in the same way as FGM.”

If you’d like to attend the symposium, you can book your tickets here.

Researching Reform is a passionate advocate of changing the culture surrounding FGM and circumcision. We wish the charity a successful few days.

 

GA

 

Child Abuse Inquiry WILL Look At Children Illegally Transported To Australia

25 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in child abuse inquiry

≈ 4 Comments

The nation’s Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse is getting ready to take testimonies from men and women as part of its Truth Project.

Over 2,000 people have contacted the Inquiry to say they suffered abuse as children at institutions throughout the country, with 600 already set to take part in the Project, which has been tasked with cataloguing decades of suffering.

We can also confirm that the Inquiry will be looking at abuse which took place when children were transported from the UK to Australia, and other Commonwealth countries as part of the now infamous child migrant programme.

Last year Researching Reform campaigned to have this area included within the Inquiry’s remit. You can read our article outlining some of the evidence on the child migrant programme, entitled “Lord James of Blackheath: I Helped Smuggle Children Used For Slavery And Sex.” 

In other Inquiry related news, reports have begun to emerge that the investigation into the late Lord Janner may be delayed by six months.

Preliminary hearings into the activities of the late Cyril Smith MP and Lambeth council are ongoing.

If you’d like to get involved or share information with the Truth Project, you can contact the Inquiry at: iicsa.org.uk/contact-us

IICSA July

Question It!

25 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in Researching Reform

≈ 4 Comments

Welcome to another week.

Whilst the UK has begun to consider making reporting suspected child abuse compulsory, New Zealand is thinking about tackling the silence surrounding child abuse by paying for tip offs.

New Zealand is one of the most dangerous countries in the developed world in which to grow up, despite efforts by successive governments.

Every other day a child is admitted to hospital suffering from inflicted injuries, including burns, broken bones and head wounds.

Children NZ.png

In a bid to reduce the surge in child abuse cases across the country, the New Zealand police force has confirmed that it is looking at the possibility of offering money to people who come forward with information.

Those in favour of the initiative say it will break down the wall of silence surrounding child abuse, and ultimately save lives.

Those against the proposal are concerned that individuals with axes to grind could use the scheme as a way to exact revenge on others, that it could encourage informants to hold tips for ransom, and make leads potentially less trustworthy within a process which offers money for information.

Our question then, is just this: do you think offering money for child abuse tip offs could be an effective way to protect children from harm?

For further reading on New Zealand’s battle with child abuse, online newspaper Stuff, has produced a thought-provoking series called ‘Faces Of Innocents’, which aims to highlight the child abuse epidemic in the country.

Faces Of Innocents

 

Consultation: Should There Be A Legal Duty To Report Child Abuse?

21 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by in Consultation, Researching Reform

≈ 13 Comments

The consultation that was promised in May by former Minister For Schools, Edward Timpson looking into whether there should be a legal duty on child welfare professionals to report suspected child abuse and neglect, has today been launched.

The press release explains that the consultation entitled, “Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect“, has been designed to:

Set out the government’s wide-ranging programme of reform to provide better outcomes for vulnerable children. It seeks views on the possible introduction of one of 2 additional statutory measures:

  • a mandatory reporting duty, which would require certain practitioners or organisations to report child abuse or neglect if they knew or had reasonable cause to suspect it was taking place
  • a duty to act, which would require certain practitioners or organisations to take appropriate action in relation to child abuse or neglect if they knew or had reasonable cause to suspect it was taking place

The consultation responds to the aims set out in the Serious Crime Act 2015and tackling child sexual exploitation report, published in March 2015.

The government will consider all responses to the consultation carefully before deciding on next steps.

There has already been much debate surrounding the implementation of a mandatory duty to report, with speculation as to which child welfare professionals might be legally bound by such a duty and what the thresholds for establishing that duty might look like.

If you’d like to explore some of the commentary in this area, Researching Reform wrote an article for Jordans in May of this year looking at countries which already have a duty to report in this context and some emerging data on the pros and cons of this kind of legislation. 

If you’re hoping to contribute to this consultation, you can do so:

  • Online
  • Via email: reportingandacting@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk or;
  • By post: Safeguarding Unit, Home Office, 5th Floor, Fry Building, 2 Marsham St, London SW1P 4DF

The consultation closes on 13 October 2016 at 12:00pm. 

RCAC.png

The Buzz

20 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by in Researching Reform

≈ 2 Comments

The latest child welfare news and views:

Buzz

Call For Evidence: Lords Investigate How The Internet Impacts Children

19 Tuesday Jul 2016

Posted by in child welfare, Inquiry, Researching Reform

≈ 2 Comments

The Communications Committee has just launched an Inquiry into how the internet is affecting children, and will look at online safety concerns, as well as the benefits to children of being able to access information on the web.

The Committee will be investigating how children’s use of the internet is governed and regulated, and will examine potential safeguarding roles that parents, schools, media companies and regulators might play.

If you would like to contribute to this Inquiry, submissions are now being accepted. The deadline for submissions is Friday 26th August, 2016.

Questions the Lords would love to receive answers to are as follows, and can be found in the Call For Evidence Leaflet: 

Risks and benefits

1. What risks and benefits does increased internet usage present to children, with particular regard to: i. Social development and wellbeing ii. Neurological, cognitive and emotional development, iii. Data security.

2. Which platforms and sites are most popular among children and how do young people use them? Many of the online services used by children are not specifically designed for children. What problems does this present?

3. What are the technical challenges for introducing greater controls on internet usage by children?

4. What are the potential future harms and benefits to children from emerging technology, such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and the Internet of Things? 

Education

5. What roles can schools play in educating and supporting children in relation to the internet? What guidance is provided about the internet to schools and teachers? Is guidance consistently adopted and are there any gaps?

6. Who currently informs parents of risks? What is the role for commercial organisations to teach e-safety to parents? How could parents be better informed about risks?

Governance

7. What are the challenges for media companies in providing services that take account of children? How do content providers differentiate their services for children, for example in respect of design?

8. What voluntary measures have already been put in place by providers of content to protect children? Are these sufficient? If not, what more could be done? Are company guidelines about child safety and rights accessible to parents and other users?

Legislation and Regulation

9. What are the regulatory frameworks in different media? Is current legislation adequate in the area of child protection online? Is the law routinely enforced across different media? What, if any, are the gaps? What impact does the legislation and regulation have on the way children and young people experience and use the internet? Should there be a more consistent approach?

10. What challenges face the development and application of effective legislation? In particular in relation to the use of national laws in an international/cross-national context and the constantly changing nature and availability of internet sites and digital technologies? To what extent can legislation anticipate and manage future risks?

11. Does the upcoming General Data Protection Regulation take sufficient account of the needs of children? As the UK leaves the EU, what provisions of the Regulation or other Directives should it seek to retain, or continue to implement, with specific regard to children? Should any other legislation should be introduced?

12. What more could be done by the Government? Could there be a more joined-up approach involving the collaboration of the Government with research, civil society and commerce?

Committee Chairman, Lord Best:

“The use of the internet by children is now so established, so common, that we need to understand the risks. Are we keeping young people safe in a digital age? How much of an impact is the internet having on the development of children? Are regulations around access, risk, and data protection adequate? How can providers of internet services be encouraged to incorporate concern for the welfare of children in designing their products? These are key issues which we will want to investigate.

“However, we want to make sure that the inquiry does not dismiss the internet as overwhelmingly detrimental to young people, and we will examine closely the opportunities it is giving to children, from learning through to social interaction.”

Researching Reform supports the view that the internet is a force for good which extends to children being able to access such a vital and positive resource. There is no doubt that the internet is a mixed environment however, having watched young people online we are constantly impressed by their ability to suss out suspicious online activity, and avoid it. We very much hope this Inquiry will look to strike a balance between empowering children further to explore the world around them, protecting fundamental rights which touch upon access to information and helping to ensure that critical dangers are tackled by the relevant bodies.

You can send your submission off here (files need to be in Word format).

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Question it!

18 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in Question It, Researching Reform

≈ 8 Comments

Welcome to another week.

The news this month that the Speaker of the House of Philippine Congress filed two proposed laws, which would lower the age of criminal responsibility for children to 9 years old and reintroduce the death penalty by hanging, went largely unnoticed.

The proposal is in response to the country’s illegal drug trade, where syndicates often use young children as drug pushers. These syndicates are taking advantage of current legislation which exempts children 15 years old and under from any criminal liability. An association of private schools in the country has backed the proposal.

If passed, the laws would affect a significant number of vulnerable children, many of whom are neglected, homeless and easy prey for drug lords looking for low risk options to move their narcotics.

The government has previously tried to tackle the illegal drug trade by placing bounties on drug lords‘ heads, however the amounts offered are significantly smaller than what drug lords themselves can offer for their personal protection. Drug lords in the country have recently retaliated by offering their own much larger bounties for the head of the Philippines President, Rodrigo Duterte.

Lowering the age of criminal responsibility in this context goes hand in hand with the introduction of death by hanging. Those in favour of the death penalty suggest that it offers retribution, acts as a deterrent, prevents crime and incentivises people to cooperate with police.

Those against the death penalty argue that it devalues life, could lead to the execution of innocent people, breaches the right to life principle and brutalises society.

Our question then, is just this: do you think criminalising children in The Philippines is the solution to resolving the country’s illegal drug trade?

Philippines children.JPG

Children And Exam Stress: Researching Reform Speaks To France 2

17 Sunday Jul 2016

Posted by in Interview, Researching Reform

≈ 6 Comments

French news channel France 2 recently spoke with Researching Reform about how a growing emphasis on exams has been affecting children in the UK.

The programme looks at how children around the world are coping with different types of testing and the frequency with which they are tested, as well as an in depth look at state schools versus private schools. The UK portion of the programme investigates our own two-tier system, which effectively still stigmatises state school graduates – most of the ‘top jobs’ in the country still go to those who have been privately educated.

During our segment we talk about the added pressure children now face to perform, the negative effects of unhealthy levels of competition, which include mental health difficulties like depression and anxiety disorders and the terrible catch 22 parents now face when trying to get their children into good schools in their area, who feel they need to push their children harder than ever to secure places in these schools.

We would like to thank Nic Boothby, and the amazing team at France 2 for interviewing us.

[This programme is in French].