Sir, - I read with great interest Kieran McGrath's letter on Irish sex offenders (January 28th). It is unfortunate he didn't have an input into the Stay Safe programme for Primary Schools. He mentions that the "stranger danger" scenario is a rarity and that most offenders are well known to their victims, about 70 per cent being family members. Despite this, there is a whole lesson in the Stay Safe programme devoted to the potential danger of strangers and nothing at all about the main source of danger to the child. This is not only misleading and unfair, it is dangerous.
As Mr McGrath points out, the proposed register of sex offenders is largely about perception. Most offenders or potential offenders will not be on it. As with targeting strangers in a Stay Safe programme, people feel that something is being done - even though the real problem is ignored. - Yours, etc.,
From Gerry McAlister
(primary teacher),
College Manor,
Drumcondra,
Dublin 9