Should we prosecute those that fail to protect their children from abuse?

I absolutely agree. It is the job and duty of parents and caregivers to protect their children from harm. If they know or suspect that abuse is taking place, they have an obligation to do something to protect the child.

If the abuse is only suspected, they should do whatever needs to be done to confirm whether or not there is abuse.

If they fail to act and the child is harmed, they are just as culpable as the abuser. They had the responsibility to stop the abuse, yet they failed to act. They allowed the abuse to continue.

No I don't think they should because in most cases they are either abused themselves or are too weak minded to stand up to the abuser. I think that doctors need to be more pro active about noticing abuse and when they do notice it report it. EVERY time it is reported the parents should be forced to go to classes that are designed to educate both parties on the reprecussions on child abuse, how to stop a spouse or significant other from abusing the child, offer support on getting out of abusive relationships, and a madatory anger management briefing. My father was an abusive man but he really didn't know how abusive he was until my mother finally decided to stand up to him when I was 18. He was raised by an ex Marine and was treated that way when he was a child. He went to anger management and now he is the sweetest man in the world. People can change... sometimes they just don't know how. When it does come down to the nitty gritty and a child is severly hurt or killed and these measures have been taken to prevent it then yes both are responsible and should be prosecuted accordingly because no one at this point can plead ignorance.

How can you prosecute someone for not protecting their child from abuse? Maybe this person was abused and didn't have any help, so they didn't know how to protect their child. Maybe this person didn't know where or who to turn to for the child so decided to stay out of the situation. Maybe the person did attempt to do something but the child continue to go back to the abuser, which left the parent helpless. I think we should look at all sides before we start saying prosecute the parent.For those that are parents know that we can do but so much when it comes to our child(ren).

ALL parents who know about a child being abused should be prosecuted just the same as the person doing the abuse. It is the same as being an accomplice to a crime. To me, knowing about the abuse and not doing anything about it is just as bad. They have the chance to protect as a parent should, but most of the time they are too worried about their significant other going to jail. In all actuality the knowing parent should be treated the same as the child. Let them get a taste of what the innocent was being put through!!!

No they should not. The over use of judicial punishment is only a poorly administered band-aid. It gives the appearance of doing right, but it really only makes things worse overall. The more you hang limits over people telling them what they can't do, even though it might be inherently obvious, the more people in general will become dissentful, reckless, even violent. This is especially true when the threat of punishment is attached. What would even be the purpose of throwing someone in jail for being found guilty of neglect? What do you suppose these people would feel like after being released from prison? Ready to re-enter society as a law-abiding, happy citizen knowing that they deservedly and honorably served time for what they had done?

I absolutely agree with you. Yes, they should. And what upsets me especially are mothers that know that there children are being sexually abused and they just turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to their children's cries and side with the husband. I love my husband, but if he ever... well... let's just say I'd be in prison. If you love your kids it is your duty to protect them. Your kids are supposed to be your number 1 ( after God). That means your kids come before the husband, boyfriend, or anyone else.

As a child my father beat me and my siblings...I told my mother (divorced) what was going on and she never lifted a finger. Now as an adult my father has finally sought out counseling and has become a person I have back in my life and I have been able to forgive him. My mother never thought there was anything wrong about not turning him in...she didn't think it would do any good. She never told us she was sorry. I am still angry with her. It was her fault too. She was my mother I went to her for help. She was supposed to keep me safe. When I was able to come up with the courage to report him it was a nightmare for me. My mother didn't tell them she knew and they told me it was a one time thing. When I reported him again as a teenager (in another state) they said it was just a case of discipline. Being thrown across the room is NOT discipline. I spoke out myself twice to mandated reporters. I had bruises and cuts and photographs taken of me and still nothing happened. My mother NEVER backed me up. So at 16 I moved out. The system and my mother failed me so I became an adult early.

Yes, much the same way we assigned blame to the German people for the crimes of Nazi's...

It's called "Good Samaritan Laws" and it's hard to punish people for the crimes of others unless you can prove a conspiracy...

Why not punish parents of raped children for not protecting their children better...

slippery slope.

I absolutely agree with you. Those who 'enable' abusers are just as guilty, and should spend as much time in jail.

I think you´re right.

Parents SHOULD BE protecting the children!

In their defense - the abusers are usually very frightening to be around, and no doubt have great control over their spouses.