British Law Makes Children's Authors Register in Pedophile Database

Posted by Byard Duncan, AlterNet at 1:00 PM on July 16, 2009.

The UK has introduced a law that would require children's authors who are planning to visit schools to enter a database of people that may pose a danger to children. The worst part? These literary potential-peds have to cough up approximately 64 euros (approximately $105) to do it.

In protest, a few authors announced they would stop visiting schools at the beginning of next academic year. Among them are Philip Pullman, Anne Fine, Anthony Horowitz, Michael Morpurgo and Quentin Blake.

"I've been going into schools as an author for 20 years, and on no occasion have I ever been alone with a child," Pullman, the author of the His Dark Materials series, told The Independent. "The idea that I have become more of a threat and I need to be vetted is both ludicrous and insulting. Children have never been in any danger from visiting authors or illustrators, and the idea that they should be is preposterous."

Pullman added that the measure contributes to a social atmosphere of fear.

"This reinforces the culture of suspicion, fear and mistrust that underlies a great deal of present-day society," he said. "It teaches children that they should regard every adult as a potential murderer or rapist."

Defenders of the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) claim that the measure reinforces pre-existing legal structures designed to protect citizens.

"The UK already has one of the most advanced systems in the world for carrying out checks on all those who work in positions of trust with children and vulnerable adults," said a spokesman for the Home Office. "From October this year the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) will ensure these regulations are even more rigorous."

Tagged as: books, children, uk, britain, vetting and barring schem, vbs, children's authors