The real victims

We would like to urge your readers to remember the real victims of the Jimmy Savile and Welsh care home abuse scandals.

The comments made by former government minister David Mellor about abuse victim Steve Messham on Sunday are wholly unacceptable and underline the need for people to think carefully about their comments and responses on this issue.

Children 1st works with children and families whose lives have been overshadowed by sexual abuse. We have heard from some of them that it is difficult enough to talk about abuse and to try and deal with it without media scrutiny making things even harder.

There is a danger that the story overtakes the fact that children have been, and continue to be, sexually abused. I would urge anyone who wants to discuss concerns around sexual abuse to contact ParentLine Scotland, the con­fidential helpline service run by Children 1st, on 08000 28 22 33 or by e-mail at parentline­[email protected].

Anne Houston

Children 1st

Whitehouse Loan

Edinburgh