The open letter to David Blunkett (The Argus, November 7 - I read it on the web site) said unless it could be proved which parent had beaten a child, neither could be convicted of a crime.

Isn't there a charge in the UK for "failure to report child abuse"?

There is in the US and, while it is not nearly enough, it does track those people who are continually on the periphery of violence.

If there is no such law in the UK already, its introduction would enable valid charges to be filed without compromising the integrity of subsequent charges.

Sentencing could be based on the severity and duration of the abuse.

-R Cooper, Boston, US (Qala1969@aol.com)