"Accused teachers should be anonymous"
Children's Commissioner believes youngsters now "too hot to handle" with affection
Teachers accused of assaulting schoolchildren should have their anonymity protected pending trial, the Children's Commissioner for Scotland argued yesterday.
Kathleen Marshall claims that teachers are increasingly afraid to interact with their pupils, or show them any affection, in case they are accused of inappropriate behaviour.
Her comments follow the acquittal last week of Lorraine Stirling, a primary school teacher, at Alloa Sheriff Court on charges of assaulting seven children.
Dr Marshall said: "My concern is that we've made children too hot to handle, even when careful handling and a bit of affection is what they most need."
She added: "If adults see the system is being fair and they think an allegation will be handled fairly, it will make them more confident in interacting with children."
Teachers' representatives supported her comments though one suggested that more allegations might be made if teachers remained anonymous. And Maggie Mellon of Children 1st stressed that pupils should not be branded liars.
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