As a retired teacher, I often consider the changes over the years regarding touching, cuddling or grabbing children in the course of school life. I've taught all ages between 6yrs and 12yrs. (Primary and Middle School) I've often had to separate fighting lads in the playground, and needed to grab the little horrors by the arm (or even round their waists!) to get them apart. I've had children crying with a skinned knee and had to pick them up, comfort them and cart them off to the Welfare Lady. I once had a little girl in my class, aged 8, who was seriously disturbed and sobbed on her desk most of the time. She was having psychiatric help, but I always managed to calm her by sitting her beside me at my desk and tucking her under one side of my thick Arran cardigan! She sometimes spent the whole lesson like that, a chick under the wing of a mother hen. Nowadays, I suppose all this is totally taboo and might be construed as a bit pervy or whatever. So although I of course deplore Harris's actions, it must be said (not as exoneration but just as a general comment) that in those days, touchy-feely behaviour with children was seen differently. This probably provided a good cover for anyone with nasty intentions, and is the reason for the changes today. But it is a shame. My lovely neighbour works in a pre-school nursery, and she tells me there are many restrictions on what one is allowed to do regarding the physical care and restraint of the young children there. She finds it a bit silly (she has children of her own) but like me she sees the reasons behind it.