PC gone mad the sequel - bureacracy and paranoia gone mad

Of course its a possibility, but it was the tone with which the teacher suggested it. It was as though we were all wrong because of course bruises mean abuse. I guess its one of those situation where you had to be there, when you write about it it is hard to convey the tones and body language involved.

I agree. I would always act in defense of someone in need. One time (only once that I can recall) I saw a young kid running in pursuit of a ball that had rolled onto a main road. In that split second I had to decide between try to divert the ball back towards the kid thus stopping the kid from chasing it, or jump out and catch the kid thus stopping her getting run over but risking being accused of being a weirdo. Lucky for me I had time to catch the ball and send it back in the direction of the kid thus ending the pursuit, but I'd have caught the kid if necessary. I bet your wondering where the kid's mother or father was while this was happening? She was walking off in the opposite direction talking on her mobile completely oblivious to the whole situation.

 

Oh, yeah, I catch what you're saying now. That lovely tone that says "you're all idiots because you don't think in the proper manner"!!

As regards the rest of it. I don't worry about being accused of being a "weirdo". The kid is most important. Having said that, if I see a young child wandering about by itself, I'll always get a (middle-aged) woman to come with me to speak to it.
As regards the parents, well, what can you do? All you can do is what you see needs to be done at the time. You don't have control of their life.
I agree, it can be painful.