[Steve]

I have just read this on the BBC

Woman stabbed by seven-year-old

A woman has been treated for multiple stab wounds after she was attacked by a seven-year-old boy. The woman, who is in her early 20s, was at a neighbour's home in Norris Green, Liverpool, when they began arguing.

The neighbour's son is believed to have grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed the woman in the buttock, leg and arm. The injured woman remains in hospital for treatment for serious but not life-threatening injuries. The boy was not arrested.

The incident happened at about 2015 GMT on Thursday.

A neighbour said she believed the little boy had acted to protect his mother.
She said: "He plays outside a lot and he's had my flowers up before, but he's not a bad lad or a wild child. "He's a nice little lad but I think last night he's seen the red mist and tried to protect his mum."

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said: "It is believed the incident took place during a disturbance between neighbours. "A child was spoken to but not arrested.
"The investigation is ongoing, and we will be working with other appropriate agencies."

This child is part of the next generation who will become our future government MP’s, doctors, police…god help us all

[sejanus]

Yep, the poor wee laddie didn't realise what he was doing.

Of course, if he had, he'd have stabbed her in the chest...

[Steve]

Probably wasn't tall enough to reach...

The problem for me is were on earth does a 7 year old child get the idea to stab someone if they are arguing

[Dave]

...& what example does this set to the rest of the tearaways when no action is taken against the kid or more importantly the parent

[P-E]

Originally Posted by Dave

...& what example does this set to the rest of the tearaways when no action is taken against the kid or more importantly the parent

Totally agree

[Liam O'Neill]

I'm struggling to see what "action" you could take that would be of benefit to the kid or parents. It doesn't sound like the kid is a troublemaker, judging by what the neighbour had to say about him.
Anyway, the police and social services haven't finished with this yet. They could still take action if they think it would be of benefit.

[Charlotte]

Originally Posted by Liam O'Neill

I'm struggling to see what "action" you could take that would be of benefit to the kid or parents. .....

Methinks you'd think of something, if it were you or your family who was stabbed

Action would not be for the "benefit of the kid or parents" but for the benefit of the victims And to draw attention to the fact that this kind of thing is not acceptable + is punishable. Otherwise, well, read the thread title

[Liam O'Neill]

I'm a fully paid up bleeding heart liberal. The Criminal Justice System should have nothing to do with "victims". The kid is 7, whats best for him to stop him becoming trouble should still be parmount.

Anyway, we're so obviously not talking about some out-of-control ASBO-kid attacking someone for no good reason or to rob them. I know they exist, and that article tells me he isn't one of them. He sounds like a 7 year old who overreacted and most probably had no real idea of the consequences of his actions, and meant to long-term or serious harm, and I know those exist too.

[Charlotte]

Whatever the kid's background, temperament or personality, he stabbed someone!!! If nothing is seen to be done about it, then it will be seen as condoning the incident. Somebody is answerable for this act of violence, it simply shouldn't have happened. It is not normal nor acceptable for children to commit acts of violence like this. i.e. there is something very wrong with this picture.

The scary thing is that this is not an isolated incident. I have been hearing of more + more cases of children assaulting + even being responsible for deaths Even today on the radio news there was one where children were heard chanting "kill him, kill him". What the hell is going on here?!

This expression of outrage is not directed at you Liam it's just expressing shock on this topic. We (society, adults etc.) cannot allow this behaviour in children to continue or escalate, or we are in serious trouble as a society

[namllihs]

Any animals instinctive reaction is to protect itself and its family. Life looks a lot different from the viewpoint of a 7 year old, what may seem trivial argument to an adult can seem life threatening to a young child.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by namllihs

Any animals instinctive reaction is to protect itself and its family. Life looks a lot different from the viewpoint of a 7 year old, what may seem trivial argument to an adult can seem life threatening to a young child.

There is one thing protecting yourself and your family but the point is that for a NORMAL 7 year old, that would not involve grabbing a kitchen knife and stabbing someone repeatedly.

Also someone has to be accountable for this persons actions and it has to be dealt with now to stop it happening again in the future. Its bad enough this time but it could be far worse for the next victim. Image when this child gets to school and someone is arguing with him, what is his reaction going to be then?

I find myself fully agreeing with Charlotte (for once )

[namllihs]

Why does someone have to be accountable? sometimes things happen that no one could have predicted or expected.

[Joseph McGarraghy]

Where was the father?

[JMitchell]

Originally Posted by Joseph McGarraghy

Where was the father?

Quite the counsellor eh? Yes...this is true, although assumptions should not be made...

[stepheno]

God help us