Let me try: Blaming 'the system' isn't abandoning responsibility (or isn't necessarily). It's a statement about the structure of the problem. Some evils are ca

Let me try: Blaming 'the system' isn't abandoning responsibility (or isn't necessarily). It's a statement about the structure of the problem. Some evils are caused by the intent of one individual. Remove that individual, or change their behaviour, no more problem. In other cases the situation is perpetuated by a structure of social relations which isn't visible if you only consider individuals. Yes, ultimately individuals have to take responsibility and take action, but that is necessary but not sufficient. To understand what it will take to cure the disease requires understanding 'the system'. Suppose in this case, one year we manage to remove all abusive staff from these schools. That's a solution at the level of individual responsibility. And well worth doing. But soon enough abusive individuals will work their way into these positions again. Only by recognising that this system is inherently prone to result in abuse can you figure out how to prevent it.