TEACHERS are demanding changes to the law to give anonymity to those facing malicious allegations of abuse.

One of the country's biggest unions is launching a campaign to save members from personal trauma and professional stress which has led, in extreme cases, to teachers committing suicide.

The call from the NASUWT comes after research shows fewer than three per cent of allegations of sexual, physical and verbal abuse result in convictions.

Union members, their colleagues, families and friends are now being asked to sign a postcard petition demanding anonymity until they are found guilty.

They will be lobbying Education Minister Charles Clarke and Home Secretary David Blunkett to have the law overhauled to spare teachers "intrusive, lengthy investigations while their family life, health and professional confidence deteriorate".

Teesside teacher Sue Percival, a national executive member of the NASUWT, said: "Being named before a case has even reached court means teachers are facing a trial by the media and their health can suffer.

"Quite often, they are hounded out of the school and find it difficult to get another teaching post."

The union's general secretary, Eamonn O'Kane, said: "Many teachers facing malicious allegations cannot sustain family relationships, have nervous breakdowns and cannot return to the classroom when their ordeal is over.

"Allegations of child abuse must be investigated thoroughly with those found guilty facing the consequences. Such people have no place in schools.

"Anonymity will not hinder a full and proper police investigation. It will not protect abusers. Anonymity will strengthen the crucial principle of innocent until proven guilty.

"Over the past 12 years, there have been 1,782 NASUWT members investigated by police following allegations of criminal abuse. No grounds for prosecution have been discovered in a staggering 1,686 of these cases."

Mrs Percival, who teaches in Stockton, said: "These figures are disturbing and show the real need for a change in the law.

"There are cases I have dealt with regionally where teachers have either been found not guilty in the court or the cases have not reached court but they have had to leave the profession."