I READ the letter from Against Child Abuse headlined, ''More must be done to protect our children'' (South China Morning Post, March 29), and was astonished to read about the findings of a survey done by the voluntary agency in Tuen Mun. Of the survey's respondents, 42.3 per cent reported that they often, or sometimes, leave their children, under the age of six, alone at home when they go to work, or for leisure activities. I find this hard to believe and I would like to know more about the survey - for example the survey method, sample size, etc. If the situation is so serious, I think it deserves a greater effort being made to develop more child care facilities and supportive services, as well as strengthening neighbourhood support and enhancing public education. Something must be done to this group of respondents in Tuen Mun, before another tragedy occurs. Legislation takes time and is costly to implement. I think coverage of such problems, through the media, is more educational than legislation itself. At the end of the day, it is the parents themselves who bear the greatest loss in the event of a tragic accident. They need support from the community, not punishment. CHAN WAI-HONG, JOHN New Territories
