LETTER: Denial: abuse repeated

From Ms Angela Davies

Sir: Angela Lambert's account of parents accused of child abuse ("Guilty until proven innocent", 7 December) was ill thought-out. While deeming the Boots employee who contacted police in the Somerville case "(no doubt) well-meaning", her overall sympathy is with Ms Somerville, not with the employee who acted appropriately to the requirements of his job.

The link between the cases of Ms Somerville and her partner and the Skitts was also rather tenuous. The latter are involved in an undoubtedly distressing case of abuse accusations by their daughter, who possibly suffers from the psychological disorder False Memory Syndrome. The former were investigated, never accused, after a third party acted on witnessing evidence of possible abuse - ie, photographs of a naked child.

Yes, we have had Cleveland, Rochdale and the Orkneys. But we also have many children who suffer in silence because no one wants to step in. It seems ironic that after the brouhaha over the West case, someone who had the courage to take direct action can be vilified. It is far better that some innocent parents are embarrassed than any innocent child suffers the agonies of sexual or physical abuse.

Yours faithfully,

Angela Davies

London, SW16

8 December