Sir, - I write in order to bring to the attention of your readers an aspect of Dr Murphy's report on the IASA which, to date, has received little comment. I refer to the ignorance and uncertainty of ascribed sexual mores which created such vulnerability in these exploited young people. There are certain sexual behavioural conventions put in place for the protection of children, but they are not born with this knowledge. Children look to people in authority to guide and inform them in these areas and this is why they are such susceptible victims. My point is that children need to be informed at an early age of what is right and what is wrong, what they can regard as acceptable sexual behaviour and what is not.
By maintaining a state of ignorance, we are providing a pool of innocent victims to be preyed upon. There should be no further delay in introducing an explicit programme of sexual education into our schools, starting out at day one. Sexual deviants are no respecters of age and in today's society "locum parentis" is transferred more and more frequently to third parties, such as baby-sitters, child-minders, teachers, sports coaches, youth group-leaders, etc. Paedophiles have expertly infiltrated all of these groups and will continue to do so. Our children have been empowered by "help lines" in the fight against physical abuse. Let us now empower them with knowledge in the battle against sexual abuse. - Yours, etc., Dr John A. Waldron,
Tuam,
Co Galway.