Madam, - We are very aware of the terribly destructive effects of sexual abuse on children, but there are also many other forms of child abuse.
Children are abused when the adults in their lives deprive them of emotional support; deprive them of a listening ear; of tenderness when they are hurting.
Children are abused when the adults in their lives vent their anger on them, verbally, physically or emotionally, rather than dealing with their own problems.
Children are abused when the adults in their lives spend hours in pubs, gambling dens or amusement arcades while the children cry out for their attention.
So when we wonder why our young people drink to excess, take drugs, become violent on the streets of our towns and cities or attempt or commit suicide, perhaps we might reflect on some of the abuse.
Then, rather than rushing to enact more laws and legislation - blah, blah! - we might consider how, as a society, we can best support adults to care for the children with greater awareness and love.
That is, of course, if we truly want to change the society we live in. - Yours, etc.,
GEMMA DOHERTY,
Crozon Downs,
Sligo.