Abuse and care

Abstract

Abuse of any description, whether it is inflicted on humans or animals, offends and shocks in any civilised society. Witness the public outrage when a child is the subject of a physical or a sexual attack. Witness, too, the disgust openly expressed when a vulnerable elderly person is mugged or robbed; when the attack involves sexual violation, public feelings run deeper and, rightly or wrongly, the outcry is for the offender to be brought to justice.