Another New Law ?

[youngmafbog]

http://news.sky.com/story/1271690/rise-in-emotional-abuse-cases-among-children

Surprised this hasn't been posted already.

On the surface seems a good idea, but the more I think about it the more fraut with problems it appears

For instance:

1) How do you define it and then prove it?
2) How do you prevent mis-use by kids (I didnt get my playstation so its emotional abuse) ?
3) If you do prosecute someone how will that help? Will the kids be removed? After all surely if a prosecution takes place then it will be divisive and potentially escalate verbal abuse to physical?

[ummmm]

Emotional abuse is as bad as physical abuse.

[ladybirder]

I see what I would call emotional abuse everyday when I take the dogs to the park. Mothers ignoring their children because they're glued to their mobile phone, never interacting with their child. One woman I see very often with her child never ever speaks to her little girl. Even when not talking on her phone or to her friends, in the cafe in the park she sits staring into space with her child in the pushchair facing away from mother. Again, no interaction. Finish their drinks, mum stands up starts walking away with child in pushchair without a word or look exchanged. Thank goodness whenever I see her with her father, they talk and laugh together. So different from another lady I see who teaches her child the names of the flowers in gardens as they pass and the numbers on the gate posts. She actually looks as if she enjoys the company of her offspring, unlike mum no.1. I don't know whether I'm alone in classing that as emotional abuse?

[ummmm]

I wouldn't call that emotional abuse. She may be out with the child for some peace and quiet and could be a fantastic mother at home.

[youngmafbog]

'Emotional abuse is as bad as physical abuse'

I didnt say otherwise. Perhaps you would like to address the issues I could immediately see?

[ummmm]

It's hard to know where the line will be drawn. Screaming and shouting at your kids, calling them horrible names, keeping them shut in their rooms.

[jim360]

Some very good points. As to 1 and 3 I can't really answer those, but perhaps 2 will not be so bad really as a problem. In the first place perhaps not that many children will abuse the law really, or at least will struggle to take it very far as it can be difficult to sustain an outright lie. Perhaps in a way even those who misuse the law and run to the police or similar could turn out to be doing themselves a favour if it leads to the issues being addressed, although more likely it will just lead to a small amount of wasted police time.

Like I say no answers (yet) to the other two points, but agree that on the surface it could be a good idea. Just has to be thought through carefully -- and, if we're honest, that's unlikely if the legislation has only one session of Parliament's worth of scrutiny.

[youngmafbog]

Yes, thats my feeling too Jim. Everytime we rush a law through it ends up bashing people who were not really the intended target and missing the ones who it was aimed at.

I will lay odds that most of the real problem perpetrators are cowards and will do it behind closed doors with no evidence to get the b*stards so people who 'shout at their kids' will end up prosecuted leading to my point 3.

[naomi24]

I can’t really see how we can legislate against emotional abuse. For example, the church tells people they’re born sinners and because of that many children grow into psychologically damaged, guilt-ridden adults, so I’d call that emotional abuse, but what court would uphold that charge?

[Canary42]

A very silly law which will be used in entirely inappropriate circumstances and the REAL culprits will continue to get away with it.

[royfromaus]

I have every confidence in our Social services to get things absolutely right in these cases of 'emotional abuse'

Will this new law also include the way siblings interact with each other?
If so I had better report my kids now!

[youngmafbog]

Glad someone has confidence in the SS Roy!

My personal experiences would point to this whole thing ending up in a very sorry state. Those that need help wont get it and their plight will end up belittled due to the overzealous actions of the SS against people who have simply disciplined their kids.

After all we all know the right-on attitude to child discipline.

[heathfield]

Saying to a child "You've been a bad boy/girl" will have an emotional effect. Is this to be a criminal offense? Give me strength!

[ummmm]

That's reasonable. Raising your voice is reasonable. It's general discipline. Screaming, effing and blinding, calling them names on a daily basis is emotional abuse.

[ladybirder]

And I still maintain that ignoring your child as if she wasn't there, not interacting with your child is also emotional abuse. I've seen it in families where one child, quite often but not always the middle child, misses out on the attention. In its own way it is as bad as screaming obscenities at your child - I could say at least that child is getting attention I suppose.

[Peter Pedant]

I have to say - I thought it already was..... [ emotional abuse and a crime ]

but the lady on the tel said
emotional abuse is already actionable in the civil courts - she meant fambly.
That is, grounds for social service intervention....

and someone in the Home Office has said - Oh wont it be a good idea if we make it a crime as well.....

[Peter Pedant]

// Saying to a child "You've been a bad boy/girl" will have an emotional effect. Is this to be a criminal offense? Give me strength!///

calm yourself heathfield - or come in from shouting on your wind-swept moor - No it wont....

[naomi24]

I think it was Heathcliff who was fond of windswept moors. ;o)