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Public safety for women is lacking
 The idea that new CCTV cameras should be installed and other measures taken to defend  women against indecent assaults  on trains has stirred up debate in  Hong Kong. 
I am on the side of those who think that improved surveillance systems can help decrease assaults and other crimes on the MTR. 
I also support the proposal for women-only carriages to help prevent harassment and better protect women. 
However, it is undeniable that such measures may cause problems to some passengers and MTR staff.
I believe the best course of action is to carry out a public survey on the issue.
There's no doubt women face harassment and assault on the city's trains and buses. 
But many victims of such crimes may be too embarrassed to seek help or report incidents to police.
It would be helpful if preventive measures were taken to deal with the threat of such indecent behaviour. 
Yang Lam, King Ling College 
Appreciate graffiti; it's an art form
 The issue of graffiti - images or words painted on public or private property - has divided public opinion. 
Some people see graffiti as an art form, while others regard it as vandalism. 
I believe that graffiti is a form of art. It brings colour and originality to our lives. I'm not talking about making it legal, but I don't think graffiti artists should be treated as criminals, either. 
Graffiti artists often have creative ideas and their artworks can have real meaning.
In addition, graffiti can make our daily environment more colourful. 
So graffiti is not such a bad thing. Artists should just make sure not to damage  property.
Chow Pak-kwan, The Chinese Foundation Secondary School 
Property prices  need adjustment
 Property prices are sky-high in Hong Kong. Many locals cannot afford to buy their own homes. 
Some people are reduced to living in crammed and unhealthy cage homes.
Inflation is also on the rise so it is often a struggle for people just to make ends meet. 
They need to spend all their earnings on necessities. As expenses have far outpaced salary increases, buying a home is out of reach for even middle-class people.
I think the government should try to rein in the soaring property prices. 
It could do so by resuming the Home Ownership Scheme and building more public housing estates. The scheme would help more people to have their own homes. 
Unless effective measures are taken to control property prices, they will rise even further. 
We need to act now so as to avoid worsening social discontent.
Grace Poon Hoi-yan
Forget the looks  - we are all special
 Many teens these days are obsessed with their looks. They believe that beauty is the most important thing - both to have self-esteem and to gain other people's approval.
Some teens feel sad about seeing themselves as less beautiful than they would like to be. They seem to think that they are less special than better-looking teens. 
I believe that is a very harmful way of seeing things. We should learn from people like Nick Vujicic, a motivational speaker who was born without legs and arms. He had a tough childhood. He had few friends, and children often mocked him. 
Yet despite his grave handicap, he believed in himself. He has overcome his difficulties and always  tries to look on the bright side of life. 
We have much to learn from him.
 Karen Kwok, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College 
Facing our fears  can be so scary
 Many people insist we have to face our fears. I wonder if that is as easy as it sounds.
I suffer from acrophobia,  a fear of heights. My friends often invite me to take a ride on the free-fall machine in Ocean Park. 
When I told them about my fear, they said: 'You have to learn to deal with it.' Finally, I gave in, but I was so scared I felt I was going to die. 
We need to be brave, but sometimes it can be very hard to overcome our deepest fears.
Yu Hoi-ying, STFA Tam Pak Yu College



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