Sticking my head up, and waiting to be shot down, but I have no sympathy with anyone who writes, and inparticular publishes, fiction involving children. Particularly children nine years old as was the case here.

I know the arguements to the contrary, but cannot be convinced that fiction does not feed fantasies, which in the occasional case will transfer into reality. It is a risk which I think is unacceptable.

I think Mahatma Ghandi was the first to say that "A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members"; a sentiment which has been quoted, although not always embraced by politicians of many countries.

I would suggest that the greatness (and ultimately the acceptability) of the fetish community can be measured by how it protects its weakest members and members of society as a whole.

cariad