At school one teacher was worried boys would not go to the headmaster when sent for the cane. He therefore sent someone with them, who was allowed to stay and witness the punishment. This was not popular with recipients. One day I was chosen to take one of the toughest boys in the class for bullying. The first very hard stroke reduced him to tears. After the caning he dropped to his knees sobbing- not very good for the image of a bully. The caning had the desired effect, possibly aided by everyone hearing an account of it. I myself worked out the cane was something to be avoided at all costs.
The opportunity to see what it was like, without feeling what it was like was too good to miss. Funnily very few witnessed canings produced stories of boys who didn’t cry