Dear Editor,

I am most horrified by the barbaric treatment that the child was subjected to in your story.

This incident simply mirrors what is happening in our rural areas and is sometimes allowed to go unreported.

This Guyana Police Force needs to embark on a nation wide training programme as some of its frontline officers seem not to understand that they are not the judge and jury and also do not know how to handle reports concerning minors and domestic abuse.

Even though this family has opted to settle the proposed private action, the GPF should conduct a thorough investigation as obviously organisational procedures were breached. No child should be allowed to kneel with heavy books in their hands in this civilised era.

I truly admire the Minister of Social Services and I patiently await her response and those of other child protection agencies, the Minister of Home Affairs and the Commissioner of Police to this case of barbaric physical abuse. Please do not let this child down!

Yours faithfully,

C Reid