THE EDITOR, Sir:

I MAKE reference to an article in the Saturday Gleaner of July 26, under the feature item 'Issue: face to face with child abuse'. I would like to respond to Sharon, the writer, directly.

Sharon, you just have to keep going until someone listens; maybe a pastor, counsellor or a head teacher, and hope that they are compassionate and will do something to help. Let's hope that they know how to deal with this sensitive issue.

Turning a blind eye

Sometimes, the police refuse to listen because they do not know how to respond. Sometimes, this is because of their misconceptions or their personal beliefs. The sooner they learn that child abuse is a grave issue with serious con-sequences, then people who refuse to turn a blind eye will no longer appear as busybodies, but responsible citizens.

Child abuse is everybody's business. Remember, 'It takes a village to raise a child'. You can also contact the Child Develop-ment Agency directly. Tell the child that you will do all that you can to help. He or she will appreciate from early in his life that there are persons who can be trusted. Don't forget that this child will soon grow up; helping this him or her will determine what he or she will become in adulthood.

I am, etc.,

LILIETH WADE

Director, Caribbean

Child Protection Ministries

jjlwade@hotmail.com

Nottingham, England

Via Go-Jamaica