What a strange country this is.

[123everton]

There is talk now of altering the law to create a database to warn people of potentially violent partners, that's fine.
Good idea.
But how is it that we can have a system to warn adults about the people they choose to let into their lives, but we can't have a system that will warn parents of potentially abusive children that they may want to foster?

[cassa333]

Because some people think it right to decide they know best even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

[VHG]

When people talk about databases like this that are trying to protect us I always think of Harold Shipman the GP.

If you has asked anyone about Harold Shipman they would have said fine doctor, pillar of society, nice man etc.

But it turns out he had probably killed over 200 mainly elderly women by giving them overdoses drugs.

Nobody would have ever thought of putting him on a database of people who may one day hurt you.

I recently had to have a CRB (Criminal Record) check because I was doing some work for a charity.

I am sure if Harold Shipman had had a CRB check he would have passed with flying colours.

I am not saying there is not point in trying to protect people, but it is easy for anyone to look "safe" when in fact they are not.

[tamborine]

or a db on avaricious/dishonest/philandering/lazy/loutish gov ministers?

[123everton]

VHG does make a good point, Ian Huntley would've passed a CRB check too.
The point I'm making is that adults can make a choice about themselves, and the reports contention is thart this should aid them in such.
So why could'nt they have informed the family of the foster child who abused their children as was revealed last week?

[socket2008]

Exactly how is this database going to be compiled, Through convictions? Or will any woman with a hatred for someone just be able to say 'yeh mr smith at this address is a wife beater'.

Will we see the day when anyone who has a criminal record will have their details accessed by all?

I don't agree with men or women hitting each other, but if a man or woman hits their partner should they then be penalised for the rest of their life?

The worst of the worst shouldn't be let near a partner. However, having a handbags at dawn argument and then that person being put onto a database would be a worrying trend for what is becoming nazi uk.

[123everton]

The curious thing is, is that all the emphasis is on men hitting women.
According to "The Wright Stuff" today 1 in 4 women (25%) have suffered from domestic violence compared to 1 in 6 men (which my 'O' Level maths says is roughly 16%) so it's not a huge difference.
I personally hate statistics and don't place a huge amount of faith in such figures, as men (especially) are less inclined to report such behaviours and even less likely to be taken seriously if they do.
But to be honest with you Socket you may well have hit the nail squarely on the head with public access to criminal records.
It may well transpire one day that if need be one can access other people's convictions, if say, they possess their N.I number, politically it would be easy to espouse as the crime would already have been tried publicly and to the state's satisfaction of proof.