7 - Wednesday, December 26, 1984 - North Shore News EE mailbox | >< | Child abuse exaggerated Dear Editor Nobody in their might mind can defend the physical and sexual abuse of children. However, do we really need the current obsession which appears to be growing like some religious cult? Your article (Sunday, November 25th) again trotted out the same old statistics that we have heard so often recently. There 15 no doubt that physical and = sexual abuse do exist, but before you declare such wild Sstaustics, perhaps someone should define the _ ter- minology. | know that the RCMP work on the basis of evidence and | know that they bring common sense 1n- to this matter, but this is not the case with the Ministry ot Human Resources social workers. They use these figures largely to justify their existence and improve their yob security. Patting your child on the bum may not be acceptable behaviour to some people, but ist really sexual abuse? According to) MHR = social workers tas! Did vou know that, according to MBHR, children who plas with fire have been sexually abused? Then, of couse, there is the infamous doll test — if a child displays a preference for naked dolls over dressed dolls — this 1s evidence of sexual abuse. | actually know of parents who have lost their children because of this piece of quackery. How long before MHR social workers decide that thumb-sucking 1s a sign of sexual abuse? The Ministry of Human Resources is perpetuating a very convenient myth — they snatch more than 5,500 children from their parents in this province every year, us- ing their cockeyed statistics, crazy definitions, suspicions, assumptions, gossip and hearsay to justify their ac- tions. Their apprehensions and accusations (even when judged false in a Court dec sion) then go to prove the statistics might Rather than listen to the ravings of these self-declared guardians of pubhe morality, | preter to listen to the words of long-standing respected protessionals like Dr Millar (North Shore child psychiatrist) who Said recent- Appreciates Hunter Dear Editor May | congratulate you on the quality of vour editorial Over the last tew vears I have witnessed a tremendous unprovement This letter prompted after reading Bob Hunter's column in the Sunday Nov IR issue Ht as indeed refreshing (6 read a) piece written by someone who views life from the very core of reahty Was Reincarnation ts now accepted by one third of North Americans That as good because Fern arAalion is nof a philosophy but a fact oft |ite Mr Hunter's siews on all he chooses to write about will now have new meaning for me For now Lknow he writes from the soul, and its from the soul where truth emerges Your paper should take the lead in this “doom ‘wn gloom blood Cn guts’? onented world of pournalism, and express more of the esotert information Mr Hlunter advocates We are all here on earth seeking the truth Guve it to your readers John Fairley West Vancouver Dundarave Terrace Pharmacy Ltd. SALE PRICES ON . oe ao Dhow [(OUINL oe eat aVe 120 2419 Bellevue Ave West Van 922-1238 Te (4fAt AC € DIVOL bh hatte . i PhP tA 48 wht) ly, (Medical Post, April 84) “In my years of practice | can count on my fingers the cases Of genuine abuse | have seen. | have talked to my col- leagues, and, eacept for those who funcuon as child abuse experts, all say the same thing: they don’t see much child abuse.’’ This opimon may not make such good media news, but | suspect that it’s closer to the truth. B.E. Curtis North Vancouver New signals Dear Editor Regarding the editorial, “Signal Nonsense’’, in the Sunday, Dec. 2, North Shore News, the complaint that shops on the south side of Marine Drive and on Bellevue are losing busines because west-bound drivers can't turn Jett off Marine bet- ween 4-6 pm. 1s puzzling. Surely it doesn't take much intelligence to reahze thal one can turn lett at 13th Sto or turn night from anywhere on Marine and go around the block draperies by S. Laursen FIko FITNESS APPALR 730 Marine Dr. North Vancouver 986-3487 “IN HOME SERVICE” Custom draperies & bedspreads Labor — $5.50 pr. panel unlined, %6 50 lined All blinds 30% off list prices Track service & alterations Phone for FREE estimates call 987-2966 or to a friend Wha theme Great discounts & gitt certithi aten |. available. Also tanning centre availabl. make sense While some minor ad- jJustments could be made, we feel that the new hghts make Ambleside considerably safer for pedestrian shoppers and for motorists who don’t use Marine as a treeway, as well as making it easier for drivers wanting to turn left onto Marine trom 14th and 16th The West Vancouver Municipal Council should be commended tor installing the lights Katharine & Michael Steizg West Vancouver Furniture & Appliances Starts 9 a.m. Fri., Dec. 28 1590 Marine Dr., N. Van. SEE OUR AD IN FRI PAPER Give the Gift of Fitness to yoursclt ACTIVE WEAR | 736 Marine OD: North Vancouve: 984-6511 Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season. In person registration will be held January 2, 3, 4, and 7. January 2 - Career tudent Registration New applicants after 4 pm January 3, 4 and 7 - Academic Students For details on exactly when you are scheduled to register, consult the college timetable, or call 986-1911, local 213. HIGHLIGHT ON LANGUAGES French, German, and Spanish credit courses are all being offered this spring. Courses are available inthe following levels m BEGINNING LEVEL - French 101 ADVANCED BEGINNERS - French 121, German 101, Spanish 101 INTERMEDIATE LEVEL - French 171, German 201. Spanish 201 ADVANCED LEVEL — French 271 For more information on these courses call 986-1911, local 503 MEDIA COURSES STILL OPEN Basic Photography (Media 070) is being offered Wednesday nights from 7-10 pm. Basic Film-Making (Media 074) will be held Tuesday and Wednesday nights and Micro computer Graphics (Media 082) will be held ong Monday andg Wedoesday rmgnts There are still Seals. ae dilate: sty thee Bd Courses which start the week of January 7 For auntornahon orn he Cou ets alles cere trate pore reercdiaters cal oT 2 i sr ee three Maer daca bade tong ae [lego trniery EXTENSION PROGRAMS AND COURSES ee ee ee ee ee “aap ee Pogo roe £ fe RY eT wily toe “\ticsta ts on fern at A ’ ereredveee , 4 rc re 2 | rod CAPILANO COLLEGE § 2055 Purcell Way § North Vancouver Up the Hill from the Coach House