The Editor, Sir:

In response to the front page report yesterday (October 23) entitled: 'I want back my children' - Mother pleads with child agency for their return,' I would like to express my profound disappointment with the way this matter was handled.

In the first instance, if the country experienced a natural disaster, its the government's responsibility to come to the aid of all the affected citizens to the best of its ability. It is very disturbing that the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management could not have found adequate shelter for this woman and her four children. Further, it is quite an irony that the Child Development Agency (CDA) was 'forced to relieve' the mother of her four children and place the children in 'places of safety' when those of us who have worked with children in Jamaica know that these so-called places of safety are not really safe. In my opinion, the CDA has further victimised the victims by separating this family and placing them in conditions that are less than appropriate for their phy-sical and psychological well-being. In truth our places of safety are not safe. This is evidenced by the pro-liferation of horror stories of alleged maltreatment and child sexual abuse that ooze from those hell holes.

I am, therefore, calling on the Jamaica Association of Evangelicals, and the Jamaica Council of Churches to conduct an investigation in this matter to ensure the welfare of this mother and her children. I would like to also appeal to Prime Minister Bruce Golding to have an investigation conducted as to the appropriateness of our 'places of safety' and to take the necessary steps to ensure that they are brought up to standard.

I am, etc.,

Rev. ANDREW R.

BENNETT Sr.

andrewrbennett@yahoo.com

Paterson, N.J.

Via Go-Jamaica