IT seems there is a lot of stuff these days in the papers about child sexual abuse.

If it is not about direct abuse, it is about the production and consumption of inappropriate images of children.

This has been going on for years, and we do not seem able to eradicate the problem.

Even women are involved. We cannot continue to blame it entirely on men – though we know it is centred on men.

I do believe the problem is inflamed by the media, not only simply drawing attention to it, but also making it look big and scary.

We as a society, particularly parents, are scared to death of ‘paedophiles’.

They are supposed to be ‘out there’, and we worry so much that ‘they will harm our children’.

I am a parent myself. My children are older now, but I do know how it feels.

What is the solution? I think we must have a reasoned debate about it.

We must express our views and thoughts and feelings.

Is anybody willing to give it ago?

If we don’t, the problem will not just disappear.

MICHAEL JOHN STAMPER, Address supplied