CRB checks gurantee nothing
Too much is put into the wonders of the CRB check. As yet there is nothing illegal about giving false details to any voluntary group, it is not even illegal to carry false ID unless it is for "percuniary advantage!" All the CRB check says is that the person checked has never been charged with any offence that may bring them into conflict with the people they interact with in the position they hold.
Experience has shown that the dangerous individuals in this country are always one step ahead of our guardians as they are not a grow of idiotic dirty old men. Many are well educated and well versed and they ensure that the those who are not amongst their ranks are kept in check. These people are very well organised, something that studies have shown time and time again.
The current 2003 Sexual Offences Act is showing its weaknesses by the fact that an increasing number of cases are being dropped as it is becoming clear that there are more and more false allegations being made. Reference to the SAFARI website www.safari-org.uk is showing an increasing number of these cases. If you read the act it is all too clear how easy it is to become convicted on a lie. It also shows up an alarming number of repeat false accusers who arwe believed time and time again!
My biggest worry and it is now becoming increasingly evident is the number of people who have done nothing wrong in their lives falling foul of the CRB checks as they have a similar name. There are also now special needs teachers who accept as part of their job that they will suffer false accusatuions finding that they are dis-barred from their work due to over -zealous police and social services investigations.
Yes we need to protect our children and vulnerrable, but the simple fact is that the actual abuser of will be more than likely located under your own roof! 95% of chiild abuse is committed by a family member or someone who is directly involved with your family. There are also an increasing number of cases of family abuse towards the elderly as well. Those facts are something that the government and media always tend to overlook. Then again, if they didn't how would they frighten the public into believing that they were producing guff like this to protect the "children and vulnerable" or sell their poor quality newspapers?
All this new bit of legislation will do is drive more people away from volunteering. I have already seriously reduced the time I give freely to help out on community projects and this new gem will now see me withdraw completely. I have nothing to hide and I need an enhanced CRB for my job, but I accept that as I need to earn a luiving. I'll be damned if I have to go through the same just to give my time away freely, whether it costs £64 or not.
This idea is not to advance protection, it's been concieved by a piss poor government to show to "Fleet Street" editors that it is doing something positive! I can see all of the knees jerking merrily in the cabinet office as I type!