Here is my interview with the Director of Children's Services for the NSPCC...

[theghostofHIDTL]

hereidrawtheline's blog

I just wanted to share it with you all - I dont obviously post on mn each time I update my blog to raise my profile or anything but this is truly relevant to us as parents & members of society and I am really proud I managed to pull it off and wanted to share it with you. I think there is some really helpful information here.

Its a new project where I feature a different charity/interview each week. This is week 1 and I feel sick and nervous as anything but really proud too. Hope it helps.

[MIAonline]

A great idea to use your blog to feature interviews like this.

I think your comment about 'everyman for himself' approach in society is true. In relation to both fundraising and looking out for the vulnerable in society.

You should be proud, hopefully the sickness will die down as the weeks go on

[theghostofHIDTL]

Thank you! I am still green... proud, but green!

[morningpaper]

Well done! Good work

[theghostofHIDTL]

thankyouthankyouthankyou

I owe a lot to MN

many kicks up the backside, much support, much education, much humour

[Fruitysunshine]

Well done - that was a good interview!

[theghostofHIDTL]

oh fruity was it?

[wahwah]

I would have been quite interested in understanding what happens once their helpline has been called and how they might explain to you what they do. My understanding is that they don't actually do anything but hand the serious concerns over to social services, for them to follow up. I don't really understand the point of them.

[TheDMshouldbeRivened]

cor. Thats brilliant.

[theghostofHIDTL]

well for one thing its easier to have one number than millions of numbers (all our social services numbers will be different, odd hours etc)

They also give advice about legal issues i.e. what constitutes child abuse

they also lobby for increased child protection

they also operate childline for children to use

they are first port of call for authorities wrt child abuse

they investigate claims

they campaign

they do all sorts really. I wouldnt say they were redundant at all!

We can all say "call the NSPCC" and pass along one phone number for all of us. Not so with SS.

[Callisto]

I actually think that the NSPCC has done great damage to how we as a society now view parents. I think that they are in bed with the Labour govt on the issue of the state knowing better than parents, and I will never ever give them money as I hate the bullying tactics they use in their ads and mail outs.

Well done on the interview though.

[MIAonline]

What would you propose Callisto, I really disagree with you on so many fronts.

The NSPCC use shock tactics in their ads because lots of people are so blase to children suffering, you may not be, but the reality is people are. They are also are insular in their approach to helping others, if it doesn't help them then why bother. It is not bullying, turn off or throw it away, but don't deny them the ability to raise funds for a fantastic charity.

They provide amazing training and awareness of child protection, counselling for survivors, the list goes on and on.

Sometimes, others do know better than parents. Just because people give birth and have children does not mean they always know best, yes most of the time they do, but not always and some people are not fit to call themselves parents.

[Callisto]

Shock tactics just make people more immune to what is going on and targeting new mothers with lists of abused children and details of the abuse they suffered is particularly distasteful. Children get abused by family members every day, but creating a climate where the state is seen to know better than parents what is right for their child is wrong on so many levels. If the govt actually supported the child protection laws we have and put some real money into social services then we might see a difference. But chucking money at a charity that just wants to turn every adult into a bogeyman will only make things worse for all children.

[staggerlee]

Callisto, NSPCC also co run projects for abusers including adults and also children who abuse other children. I think they have a pretty holistic approach rather than 'turning every adult into a bogeyman'.

I think abuse is shocking even though as you say it happens every day. Is there a tasteful way to present information about abuse?

[MIAonline]

Callisto, we can't hide away from the truth though and pretending abuse doesn't happen will not help anyone least of all the children who are/have been abused.

I actually don't care if new mothers find it distasteful to receive direct info from NSPCC, if a small proportion go on to think, 'do you know what I want to help other children', and by doing so donate to the NSPCC.

I can't see what point you are trying to make with 'but creating a climate where the state is seen to know better than parents what is right for their child is wrong on so many levels' as you have given no examples of where the NSPCC do this.

I agree that social services are underfunded and over stretched, who wouldn't, but that shouldn't take away from the NSPCC's work who do so much more that doesn't fall within the SS remit. I admit I just don't get where you are coming from.

I am sorry HIDTL for hijacking your thread, but hope in the spirit of your blog it is still raising an interest in the NSPCC and I find it hard to sit back and not respond when I disagree so strongly.

[theghostofHIDTL]

no need to say sorry - I disagree with Callisto as well but that probably goes without saying. I really dont like it when people criticise efforts of others without offering better solutions (by that Callisto I mean criticism of the NSPCC I wasnt thinking you were criticising me personally in any way). Its very easy to pick holes in anything if you choose to but its pretty counter productive to improvement. I also think its a little paranoid to think the NSPCC are out to get adults. Someone has to work on behalf of children. The abusing parents certainly arent going to step forwards on their own.

But anyway, I am happy you are all talking about it and really, thanks for reading. As I said I am doing a different charity interview each week covering every topic under the sun so I hope a lot of conversation will be sparked from it.

[Janos]

Wow, that is fantastic interview HIDTL.

Some very thought provoking issues raised.

You really should be proud of yourself for such a great piece of work

[AvrilH]

IIRC, much of the money collected by the NSPCC goes to "raising awareness"

i.e. that godawful advertising, which spreads misery and hardens us to children's suffering

I would never donate to them, my money could be better used by other charities.

[theghostofHIDTL]

What would your solution be then Avril, on a nationwide basis, for tackling child abuse?

[theghostofHIDTL]

Thank you Janos I am really really grateful for you saying such kind things.

[juuule]

I feel inclined towards Callisto's view of the NSPCC particularly after misleading comments on home-education which supported Graham Badman's recommendations.

NSPCC apologises

[juuule]

Not the only thing they mislead on.

ASA bans NSPCC ad

[theghostofHIDTL]

I think it would be insincere to expect any huge organisation to work flawlessly. I dont think every movement of the NSPCC is followed by choruses of angels or anything - but they are working very hard to stop child abuse. They are filling a hell of a lot of gaps. They arent doing it because they're bored.

I think progress involves working together and stopping casting blame about. I can guarantee that for every 1 example you can find of the NSPCC fucking up I can find 20 of them helping a child. And ultimately that is all that matters, they aren't acting maliciously. I dont mean that as a challenge though I am far too busy to cite dozens of examples of the NSPCC's good deeds at the moment! The next several weeks charity slots are already booked and being worked on/written/interview etc and then researching the following 6 weeks!

[cocolepew]

Well done, excellent interview

[MIAonline]

I agree with HIDTL, it would be impossible for any organisation to work without mistakes.

The fact that the NSPCC, unlike many others, will admit to a mistake says a lot about them. I can understand home educators may have personal feelings as I know from MN the recent review is very contentious.

As for the Ad, the ad was banned because the data was out of date, there was no suggestion it was incorrect. I find the the following statement (from the link provided by juuule) very shocking
"We considered that a significant number of readers might infer from the claim that one in six children were subject to physical abuse, whereas we noted the definition of sexual abuse taken from the study included a wide range of behaviours, including contact and non-contact activity.
It makes out that people might be offended by the NSPCC claiming non contact sexual behaviours as being abuse

When you have seen people actually helped by the NSPCC, it is hard to see such a negative attitude, based on very little. I think it is easy to be critical and harder to provide a better alternative.

[theghostofHIDTL]

You said it MIA. "better alternative". Picking holes wont save lives. We need to help children by helping those who have the power to do something about it.

And I would just say - I am speaking to CEO's & Director's of charities regularly now, big and little charities. They arent in it for the money!