LETTER: Scapegoats over child abuse Child abuse and society

ROSIE Waterhouse gives the impression that social workers are suspecting child abuse far more frequently than they should. It is extremely difficult to know when abuse is taking place but I know that I am seeing many patients who are being sexually abused and I am failing to make the diagnosis. I know this because I counsel adults who are disclosing a history of sexual abuse for the first time. Few have ever disclosed their problem before and less than 5 per cent have come to the attention of the social services or the courts.

We are doing a great disservice to vast numbers of children by trying to pretend that the problem does not exist.

J K Ilsley

Bromyard, Herefordshire