And the stories are horrifying. Those who were tortured were powerless to prevent it. Whether the torture was physical, sexual or psychological, those who were tortured suffered extreme pain. For those who were tortured, their survival was in question. It is hardly necessary to point out that in these three elements, there is no difference between the torture inflicted upon these prisoners and the torture inflicted upon helpless children.
Torture is almost synonymous with unbearable pain and suffering.
While there are degrees of torture, degrees of abuse, including them all under the least offensive umbrella obliterates their differences, downgrading them all to the lowest level of offense. Downgrading horrifying acts in the public perception has ruled out any kind of rational and realistic definitions, guidelines or procedures for dealing with either torture or abuse and has, as a by-product, created a far greater problem. The punishment aspect of discipline has come under fire. The law of unintended consequences argues that the long term effects of this policy will not be its intentions but its unintended consequences. Eliminating a prime element of discipline, parental authority has been eliminated as well.