CRB Checks

Why Poltical Correctness is probably worth it in the end.

For my long awaited new blog entry, I put little thought into the subject, I just found myself typing after listening to a particularly thought provoking 5Live phone-in, and after consuming a few too many glasses of wine. So forgive my ramblings until I am in a fit state to come back and correct this mess.

So, my friends, the issue at hand is this: a large proportion of the public are outraged that parents, members of the community etc, should be required to submit to a CBR check before they can do things like drive the school football team to matches, or stand in for the netball trainer or afterschool pottery club teacher for a week or two. This is an abhorrent idea, an indication that the government is hell-bent on branding all community do-gooders potential paedophiles, and another clear example of 'Political Correctness Gone Mad'

If you believe the above, or set any store by it whatsoever, you, my friend, are an idiot, you are hypersensitive to whatever the media tells you, have lost all sense of proportion and rationality, and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Now, let's be reasonable, but most importantly of all, let us judge others who are not as clever as we are, and who show it by spouting their ignorant assumptions over the airwaves. May we judge from our middle class podiums made of feta and sundried tomato tartlets, garnished with fresh basil, those who read the words of Daily Mail journalists, and believe them, and those who have lots of money, but poorly decorate their houses. In short, let us revel in our own smug middle class existence, safe in the knowledge that we do, in fact, know better.

This entry will assume knowledge, mostly that of recent debates, so nothing too taxing, just what was outlined earlier.
Now, my 'beef' as it were, is with many aspects of the CRB check debate....

What the f**k is WRONG with a CRB check? All that seems to have been taken into account in this debate is the inconvenience for the person submitting to the test, financial issues have been touched on by individuals, but for the most part, the school or organisation will pay for the check, leaving the adult in question very much in the black, and subsequently able to help out his or her local school and community. This is obviously awful.

The very same people that will argue that the extra checks are over the top and excessive, are the same people that will have joined those awful, inhumane and disgusting Facebook groups that called for the parents of 'Baby P' to have unspeakable torture inflicted upon them, before ultimately, being murdered (Because the 'eye for an eye' approach has worked so well in the past). You can see them now 'Wewl, it's political correctness gan mad innit, all these checks an that'. Yet if sufficient care isn't taken by the relevant authorities, this same person will take up a flaming torch and wish death and destruction upon any organisation charged with the care of an infant that was tragically harmed by an authority figure.


Yes, the system is flawed, yes, perhaps there should be a one size fits all approach to CBR checks, to avoid the need for people to take numerous tests in order to work with various children's organisations, but that is NOT the issue at hand. We must consider whether or not the safety of our children is worth responsible adults undergoing minor inconveniences.

For my part, I say bring on the tests, bring on the criticism that will surround them, bring on the extra cost, bring on the scorn and anger from ignorant observers, and bring on a safe, free environment for children, let them play in peace, without fear, and let us shoulder the burden without complaint. Why should we begrudge them that?