The following report appears by Fiona McLeaod appears in the News Scotsman
Teachers accused of abusing pupils must be given anonymity to protect their reputation, according to Scotland's children's commissioner.
Kathleen Marshall called for all teachers to remain anonymous until they were convicted, in order to protect both them and the children – who could suffer, if adults feared working with them.
"The rights of children and adults are not mutually exclusive," she said.
"Children are losing out because meaningful relationships with adults, including teachers, are undermined by fear and suspicion."
She said encouraging normal, trusting relationships was vital and added: "The current climate of fear harms both children and adults working with children, and it is in everyone's interests that it is tackled."
Research carried out by the commissioner's office showed 48 per cent of adults say fear of being accused of harming young people is the main deterrent to working with them.
It also showed respondents feared helping a young person in danger or distress – with men particularly afraid of accusations of being a paedophile.
More stringent disclosure checks to ensure those who want to work with children pose no danger have deterred many from volunteering. The Girl Guides in Scotland has a waiting list of over 4,000 girls because the historic organisation does not have enough volunteers.
The Scouts and Boys' Brigade have similar problems.
Ronnie Smith, general secretary of the EIS union, said false allegations could destroy a teacher's reputation – even if they were later cleared.
He said: "In order to do the job of a teacher, we need to have a certain standing in the eyes of the pupils and parents and where someone is accused – even if they are cleared – there is still a stigma that sticks."
He said teachers who were falsely accused ended up quitting their jobs or their experience changed the way they dealt with children.
He said: "Every move they make and everything they say is based on a calculation of risk."
Remaining anonymous would not stop accusations being made, he said, but would lessen the damage caused by false allegations.
He added: "Teachers deserve special consideration because part of the very nature of their job is to be in daily contact with children, and to correct bad behaviour which can create resentment.
One Edinburgh primary school teacher, identified only as John, had his career destroyed through false claims made by four 11-year-old girls.
They claimed he looked at them inappropriately while changing for the gym.
He was subsequently cleared but quit after his reputation was ruined and he lost his trust in children.
He said: "Ex-pupils I'd taught would call me a paedophile in the street. It destroyed my life in Edinburgh and I've had to move."
However, the call to protect the names of accused teachers was rejected by the previous Scottish Executive in 2005.
David Eaglesham, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association warned anonymity could encourage more people to make accusations.
He said: "Those in the community and school would still know who an accused person was regardless of any official anonymity, and accusers might feel more inclined to have a go if it is not going to be in the media.
Also see BBC news item (here)
Listen to Children's Commissioner interview