The idea of hurting a child, any child, is repugnant to me. The psychological damage that might ensue from habitual abuse of that sort is easy to contemplate. Though such things undoubtedly still go on in the UK, I’d be horrified to think it was anything more than isolated cases.
I’d never want to work for social services that’s for sure. To be confronted daily by children damaged by abuse would be just about the most horrific job I could contemplate.
I think the late Christopher Hitchens once observed that the ten commandments, lauded by christians as the basis for sound morality, contained not one word specifically condemning the abused of children. In his new improved human ten commandments the Hitch included the commandment “If you harm a child, hang your head in shame.” I’d have to agree.