Lessons to be learnt from Doncaster abuse cases

I was saddened to listen to the news yesterday and hear about the 7 tragic cases of deaths of children in Doncaster which are now being investigated to see if there were failures by social services. It is heart rending when any child dies but especially tragic when someone who should care for a child instead abuses them.

Inevitably already the question is being asked what lessons can be learnt. No doubt there are things that will be done, Doncaster Social workers will be extra vigilant, extra training and systems will be put in place. But eventually the same thing will happen again, because better systems aren't the answer.

The bigger question these cases raise is why do people abuse children. The only adequate answer is that given by the Bible - sin. We live in a broken world and we are broken people. The world is broken, we are broken and our relationships are broken. Putting new monitoring systems in place may help, training social workers may help but it will not solve the problem. the only solution is the good news of Jesus Christ that deals with sinners and changes them one life at a time.

We need to pray for all those involved in such cases, we need to pray for our society, we need to share the gospel with people and allow the radical life changing message of a crucified risen saviour to change people.