Tagging plan to keep track of child abuse

The judge in charge of sentencing young offenders is supporting a proposal to have children tagged in a central database to stem abuse and failure at school. The proposal, which Social Development Ministry officials are investigating, is similar to British initiatives. Under it a single identification number will be issued for each child, enabling authorities to be alerted to potential problems. "I could think of no more strategically important initiative than to develop a care plan for every five-year-old on entering school," Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft told a families workshop in Wellington late last week. The workshop, organised by Plunket and Presbyterian Support, came as Parliament considers a bill to repeal Section 59, which allows parents to use "reasonable force" when disciplining their child.

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