FIRSTLY I would like to send my sincere condolences to the family of Carly Bateman.

I can't even begin to imagine the suffering that these parents, and indeed any parents who lose a child, especially in such tragic circumstances, must go through.

It seems today that there is an outcry for the legalisation of drugs. Is it not also an important issue to do something about the legalisation of prostitution?

Surely these girls and women deserve proper health care and protection -- and before all the high-minded, judgemental groups spring forward to gather writing materials, it behoves all to consider how many women and wives are saved from violence in the home, and how many children are saved from abuse because these ladies -- and I use the word advisedly -- do what they do.

Prostitution has been with us since time began and, with the media and pornography being brought into our homes at the flick of a switch, it will be in demand, possibly, more and more.

The real evil behind prostitution is not the girls, it is the "pimps" and men who treat these people like animals, making it impossible for them to break away. And please don't say that it is the girls' choice, for I feel sure that is seldom the case.

We now have more women MPs than ever before. Is there not one in the houses of power prepared to try to help their sisters, or are they all too afraid of rocking their personal boat?

I sincerely hope that some action is taken to prevent further tragedies like the death of Carly

J Hayes, Bolton

(Address supplied)