Violent kids need love, not punishment

By Kate Kelland

LONDON (Reuters) - With more than 17 young people killed in stabbings or shootings in London this year, the issue of youth violence is rising up the political agenda, forcing policymakers to reassess society's attitude to children.

One of the country's most acclaimed child experts says one issue -- abandonment -- lies behind the growing problem of muggings, stabbings and shootings in urban Britain.

"Abandoning a child is worse than abuse," says Camila Batmanghelidjh, founder of Kids Company, a charity which works with some of London's most damaged and disturbed children.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown expressed horror at the increase in street violence when an 11-year-old boy was shot dead in Liverpool last month, and has promised to punish such "heinous" behaviour.

But Batmanghelidjh, a 44-year-old Iranian-born psychotherapist whose flamboyant style, eloquence and charisma as well as 11 years of street level experience have won her the ear of policymakers, says Britain must turn its approach to children on its head.

"We have created a culture in which threat and crime drives the care agenda," she says. "This culture is so convinced that punishment delivers good behaviour, that it has absolved itself of showing curiosity. And because it has no curiosity, it never manages to seek and implement the right solutions."

Rather than punishing disturbed youngsters, Batmanghelidjh says politicians should understand the reality of such children's lives and resolve to change it.

"It's not about poverty or punishment, it's about attachments and the amount of loving care children have."