Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – I would like to respond to the letter from John Eoin Douglas (October 6), which states that the Met Police investigation into alleged sexual abuse by Sir Jimmy Savile is a waste of time.
It cannot be stressed strongly enough that all sexual abuse allegations must be taken seriously, no matter who the alleged abuser might be. There are many reasons why victims fail to report abuse when it happens, especially children.
One of the main problems, as Mr Douglas’s letter demonstrates, is that victims believe that their complaints will be received with complacency, lack of priority and even disbelief.
Although Sir Jimmy is deceased, there are still possible witnesses to the alleged inappropriate behaviour.
The most important thing is to attempt to find out the truth of this matter either way.
Every time a sexual abuse case comes to light, lessons can be learned as regards child protection.
Thankfully the attitudes of the 70s and 80s are a thing of the past and the more openly these cases are handled, the safer our children will be.
I’m sure that I’m not the only one who commends the Met for investigating the complaints.
(Mrs) A Lee.Newton Crescent,Carnoustie.
Ban mobiles from schools
Sir, – Is it no longer politically correct or practically feasible for a headteacher to ban the use of mobile phones in schools? I read with interest EIS’s David Farmer’s concerns about discipline in classrooms (Courier, October 5). The use of social media and the phones is apparently causing distress on occasions to teachers.
A school has many functions in the modern world but its main purpose is a place of learning. Anything that gets in the way of that should be tackled effectively.
If a ban on even bringing a mobile phone into a school will assist all pupils to benefit from education, then it should be introduced. Technology exists to help people progress. Where it is having the opposite effect the education authorities have a duty to act.
I can already hear the cries of despair.
Surely modern phones can be used as an aid to learning and teachers should utilise them positively. What about a parent who desperately needs to contact a pupil in case of genuine emergency?
A well-managed school should already have set procedures for contact with parents or guardians. A well-managed school should already be quite advanced in how to blend technology, learning and discipline.
Headteachers should have and use discretion to outlaw them if that can help the reputation of the school and the education service.
Bob Taylor.24 Shiel Court,Glenrothes.
Astonishing response
Sir, – At a time when all Scottish councils are having to trim their budgets and make unpopular financial cuts, I find the statement of Fife roads manager Derek Crowe in regards to the so-called vandalised road sign on the B946 a bit astonishing, to say the least.
He says the sign will have to be replaced at the expense of the taxpayer. The sign in question has 23 letters and six numbers in black paint. One and a half letters have been erased.
Now, either Mr Crowe enjoys spending taxpayers’ money totally unnecessarily, or his department has run out of black paint.
I have experience in signwriting, I know that the sign can be repaired at very little cost to the taxpayer.
So, if the public are being asked to tighten their belts financially, let the council get their own house in order first.
Thomas Bryce.126 Kirke Park,Methilhill,Leven.
Why would this work?
Sir, – Having just read about the successful purge on bad driving in the Auchterarder area I took special notice whilst walking up the town’s high street.
Before the high street was reached a large red wagon was spotted emerging from Abbey Road, and the driver had a phone held to his ear.
I would estimate that only one in 20 cars was driving at anywhere near 30mph. When the new 20mph limit was reached this compliance dropped to virtually zero, two apparent offenders being police cars.
Quite why our masters think that as so few people obey the 30mph limit dropping it to 20mph will fix it, I don’t know.
It looks like another piece of wishful thinking on the part of politicians.
The only way this will be fixed is when all vehicles will have their speed automatically controlled by GPS.
John Stainton.9 Hunter Street,Auchterarder.
Cold a boost to economy
Sir, – Once again we are being warned of a very severe winter, similar to the winter of 2010.
Hopefully it will be wrong, as it often is, but at least it should provide a fine boost to the economy with all the usual panic buying of food, clothing, salt, grit and, of course, shovels.
After all, we have had severe winter weather in the past but thankfully commonsense always prevailed.
However it’s fine to be prepared.
John McDonald.14 Rosebery Court,Kirkcaldy.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.