End tolerance of child abuse by teachers

GOOD teachers everywhere are the most trusted people whom children look up to for help and support in crises and challenges in their lives. Parents trust their children to the protection of teachers and expect that they will be safe and protected. The danger is that the institution will protect its name and reputation before protecting and getting justice for the child. This is what we see frequently in the church when there are reports of child sexual abuse. In the school institution, it is at times the same; the crimes of abuse against children are played down and even swept under the carpet. Parents are paid off, and the child is told to stop making complaints and live with the abuse. It is the adults who fail to help the children.

As Christmas approaches, there will be celebrations that joyfully recall the birth of Jesus of Nazareth because he brought the Good News that the human race could be saved from gross immorality and self-destruction if humans chose to believe him and his teaching that human rights and dignity were to be respected and love and compassion and justice were to be the great values embraced by mankind.