Question:
I've just heard on the news that teachers have been warned not to help
children apply sunscreen lotion for fear of accusations of sexual abuse.
Can anyone still see the bounds of reason, or are they way out of
sight?
Answer:
I understand that teachers have various sets of guidelines about not
touching children, one from the Government and others from their
professional unions. There may also be local ones from the local
education authorities or the school management. I think this
recommendation came from a union.
This recommendation is not at all unusual, it just has been picked up by
the press.
In essence, it's a teacher's personal responsibility within the law and
local regulations (as it is for anyone else who comes into contact with
children) to decide how far s/he is entitled to touch a child, but
basically most seem to adhere to the rule that you don't, ever. The fear
is that parents (or older students) will bring prosecutions or private
actions for assault.
The government guidelines generously allow teachers to intervene in a
fight to avoid children harming each other, but that's about it, if I
understand correctly.
Whether you regard this as a good thing or a sad reflection of the times
we live in, I leave up to you to decide.
