Letter: Hear Mary Bell's cry

Hear Mary Bell's cry

IN YOUR leading article about Mary Bell (30 April) you state "We have learned nothing from the book that would stop such crimes happening." This is not the case.

If people who have been similarly abused read Gitta Sereny's book or excepts they will realise they are not alone. They will be given a language to use to describe their abuse and permission to express it. This is the first step towards them seeking help and thus breaking the cycle of abused to abuser.

We may not want to hear about this abuse but our deaf ears are the ones to which Mary and many thousands of others have directed their unheard cries in the past. It is our responsibility to learn how to listen.

DR MARION WELLS

Maldon,

Essex