LETTER : Damage from West memoirs

From Mr Ted Jones

Sir: As members of a self-help group for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, we wish to protest at the arrangements made by the Official Solicitor for the sale of Frederick West's autobiography and the police tapes of interviews with witnesses (reports, 20 January).

We believe the Official Solicitor's action - like that of much of the press, the potential author and his publishers - effectively compounds the damage people such as ourselves have suffered. Treating sexual abuse as a commodity for sale to the highest bidder helps to create a social climate in which abuse is more likely. We call upon all those who possess such power to exercise sensitivity and restraint and not themselves to act abusively.

Yours sincerely,

Ted Jones

Cocoon

Wallasey,

Merseyside

20 October

The writer is using a pseudonym.