YOUR report “Baby girl raped and sodomised” (NST, Feb 23) highlighting the issue of sexual abuse of children in Malaysia has left me and other readers shocked and disgusted.

My heart goes out to both the child and her family who are now facing the ordeal and pain. As for those monsters, they should be ashamed of themselves.

Because of her ordeal, this poor child may never be able to grow up normally like any other little girl.

I hope justice will be served and the guilty parties are not only punished but also locked away for life.

We do not want such people to roam free within our society and perhaps continue to victimise other children.

Sexual abuse can happen to any child regardless of ethnicity, social class, appearances and family background.

It is sad to note the world is now no longer a safe place for children to grow up in because of sexual predators out there.

It is time for us, ordinary citizens and authorities alike, to stand up against those fiends and protect our children.

Let us show we do not tolerate sexual crimes in a society which places great emphasis on keeping everyone safe.

STEFFIE YIN, Auckland, New Zealand

Source: NST – February 27, 2009