i dont think dysfunctional is the correct term here, there are also cases where the families are percieved as 'proper famileis', i know plenty of families, one in particular i am thinking of, the father is in a very good high up job, parents togther, but there was constant bullying, even physical abuse and thier sons have continued to do the same.
IMHO i think the biggets problem here is it wasnt stopped, the powers that be certainly could have but didnt, that is why there is such media around this case.
i think hurting a child(as someone said, just look at the innocent face) is completely wrong! there is definitely something lacking in these situations, what i find interesting in this case is how in gods name did they find a lodger that was ok wiht this kind of behaviour! did they put an add in the paper? did they discuss kicking the living daylights out of a child in the local and he joined in. whatever abt peodophiles there are ways to connect to these people on the internet and stuff. if completely baffles me how the three of these people found eachother??
and IMO i think the biological father should get arrested for neglect or something too, if he had access to his child he should have known or seen something!