As a parent myself I can only imagine the horror of what Victoria's parents must experience on a day-to-day basis. In your programme, Victoria's father mentioned that he was working to improve the schooling facilities where he lives. Nothing anyone can do will bring Victoria back, but I think this is a worthwhile cause to be supported. Many thanks for your excellent program.
Tom Shepperson, UK

We need more programmes like this highlighting the need for the public to be aware of the dangers children face. Nicola, Hampshire

I was very moved by the stories in last night's 4x4 Reports, in particular the story about the children in Victoria's village in the Ivory Coast, their lack of educational facillities and their enthusiasm for learning.
Keith, UK

For the last 18 months, social services have only allowed me contact with two of my four children for one and a half hours per week because I smacked my eldest child with a trainer for breaking two panes of glass in my house. There has never been any form of verbal or physical abuse of any of my other two children during ten years of marriage and my children, family and friends say I am a wonderful dad. My wife has placed the children in foster care because she cannot look afer them properly. How many other children are placed in foster care unnecessarily because social services cannot be bothered to give the practical support that stressed mothers need?
Name withheld, UK

As a 17 year-old wanting to go into nursing or social work, I found last night's 4x4 a real eye-opener into the problems which social services face. It makes me more determined to pursue a career in nursing or social work. Keep up the good work
Nataliegh Jackson, UK

I believe we live in a society where people are afraid to speak out about the physical or mental abuse of children for fear of their jobs or of ridicule. Keith Eggett, UK

Your report on Victoria Climbie got my attention. Child abuse is something that we all need to be aware of. Children need to be listened to.
Amy Fawson, England

We need more programmes like this highlighting the need for the public to be aware of the dangers children face. People need to feel able to intervene if they are worried about a child's welfare. Esther Rantzen is absolutely fantastic in relentlessly working for this cause. We always need the status of people in her position to attract the biggest possible audience. I was sexually abused as a child myself, and last year I finally exorcised some ghosts. My father went to prison. That experience was very cleansing and proved to be the unlocking of my own personal prison. Please offer Esther Rantzen my thanks, on behalf of countless other survivors of child abuse. Well done!
Nicola, Hampshire

A degree in social work means nothing when dealing with children. People in this occupation appear to be interested only in promotion and high salaries and are totally divorced from the real problems of the 'at risk' children and their carers. I believe we live in a society where people are afraid to speak out about the physical or mental abuse of children for fear of their jobs or of ridicule.
Keith Eggett, UK