The brave abuse survivors

Sir — What an excellent, thought-provoking and brave article Eamonn Sweeney has written in your paper (Real bravery is surviving abuse, Eric, Sunday Independent, December 4).

Having met many victims of child abuse during my years as a school principal, I am somewhat aware of the torment they go through.

Nobody can be totally empathetic with child abuse survivors except a fellow survivor. To read Eric Bristow’s comments and how he uses the word “wimps” to berate the soccer players who have just lately revealed their horrors is very disturbing.

He talks about how darts players would sort the abusers out and how he bets the rugby guys are okay.

How naive and trite are those comments.

If only child abuse survivors could escape from their daily trauma so easily.

I have heard different versions of this solution promoted by many pub experts on the subject.

Eamonn’s words in this article come from a very “nonBristow” place. They show real empathy and understanding, and give hope to any victim who might want to unburden themselves of this unwanted and undeserved weight.

I will keep this article and refer to it often. Maith an fear, Eamonn. Real journalism. Pat Burke Walsh,

Gorey, Co Wexford