No excuse for abuse

Regarding the editorial “Preventing abuse” (March 15), I found your observations spot on, although your recommendations are rather thin.

Those quasi-judicial self-appointed tribunals established by trade associations, professional societies, sporting organizations and religious bodies – other than when they are exercising their internal disciplinary functions that do not offend the judicial system – have a moral and legal duty to refer matters that may constitute criminal offenses to the relevant authorities. Failing to do so could amount to interfering with or perverting the course of justice, to which they would have to answer.

The responsibility for making children aware of their “body parts” in days bygone this was left to the parents. Clearly this is no longer apposite, particularly where the parents themselves have had no such experience. It falls on our education system to provide this missing link – which should be mandatory in public, private and religious places of education with financial penalties for failure

It is rather sad to find public awards are being announced in inappropriate cases. In a small country like ours that prides itself on high levels of intelligence and information, it appears that proper and full enquiries are not considered necessary or potential awardees are entitled to the “blind eye.” Perhaps the awarding committees need to be more invested with capable people, loving of truth and hating injustice.

AUSTEN SCIENCE Herzliya