THE CURSE OF ABUSE

Johan Loots didn’t deserve to die (YOU, 6 September) but he’s the one who should be spending 25 years behind bars, not Susan. I speak from experience when I say there’s little worse than being sexually abused, especially by a father or stepfather – men meant to love and protect you.

I can’t understand why Mariaan’s siblings are blaming her. For what? Was she just supposed to keep quiet forever and let that monster have his gratification at her expense?

When Susan told her daughter, “I had him murdered for you. Remember that,” perhaps it was said in the heat of the moment while in a state of shock at being arrested and not meant in the way it sounded. She admits she’s said things in prison she didn’t mean and her daughter is suffering as a result of that.

There’s no doubt this mother and daughter had a strong bond and still love each other and I hope for their sake they can put the past behind them and have a joyful reconciliation. Life’s too short to spend it with bitter recriminations. TIME TO FORGIVE, EMAIL Susan, I salute you! After being abused by my stepfather for nine years I wanted to kill him. Instead I managed to get my mom and sister away – only to find out he’d done the same to them both.

I lost my case and my mom died soon afterwards but I’m still proud I spoke up. It isn’t right you got locked up. People who judge don’t realise how bad abuse can be. To me you’re a hero. BEEN THERE, EMAIL