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The comments published here reflect the balance of views we have received.

I was left absolutely speechless after the BBC documentary last night. The scenes were utterly appalling and extremely distressing. I found the images of the bodies of these beautiful women and girls being treated with no dignity or respect in the morgues, very upsetting. I'm studying in the area of criminal justice and found the lack of empathy and efficiency shown by the Guatemalan authorities disgusting. This is a clear indication that there isn't a glimmer of hope for these poor mourning families striving for justice for their loved ones.
Claire, Hampshire

I want to let the BBC and the journalists that did this amazing programme know that they are the reason why I became a member of Amnesty International today, and sent a postcard to the president of Guatemala against this violence. Their programme should be compulsory viewing in every country.
Angeles, Dublin

Shocked and upset by this superb documentary, I have followed up all three external links offered on this web page and managed to send three different messages today: one of total support and solidarity to the women of the Sobrevivientes (Survivors) organisation, one standard e-protest card to the government of Guatemala via Amnesty International, and one warning of a looming tourism boycott because of the killings, to the Guatemalan Tourist Council.
Ian Mursell, London

Eye-opening documentary which left me shaken to the core. I found myself shouting at the screen I was so shocked by what is happening and the reaction (or lack of) from the authorities. I can only imagine how helpless and frightened the victims' families and communities feel. Worse still, the interview with the president and his "optimistic" take on the whole problem is unbelievable.
Anita, Galway, Ireland

I thought this was a brilliant film, extremely well-judged, from an area of the world we hear far too little about. The reporter was sensitive but tough. I wish the BBC did more films like this to raise international awareness.
Bee Rowlatt, London

What a hard hitting and brilliant programme. This is what I pay my licence fee for, to see such excellent investigative journalism at work. The documentarian responsible for this programme should win awards for putting together such a heartbreaking text.
Elizabeth Gould, London

This programme shocked me more than anything else I've seen in recent years. It's hard to believe that things like this occur. The next day I joined Amnesty.
Paul, Dublin

How do these women deserve this treatment after they have passed away in the most horrific way possible? People live in fear and it should not be like this. It will end up where the women will start to stand up for themselves and they will be armed. I am not saying this is the right thing to do. However, when people are desperate they will resort to desperate measures.
Sharon, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Obviously change in Central America will require more than just a police force that is inept. A whole shift in the attitude towards woman is needed. That is the hard part.
Thomas Chant, Exeter

It is hard for me (middle class, British woman living in Surrey) to believe that in the 21st century women can still be treated like animals and chattels in this way. It makes me angry and sad. I am not a man hater, but it seems to me on a global scale that evolution has passed by a significant number of male humans. Thank you for shaking me out of my complacency. It is hard sometimes to absorb any more of the world's problems. But someone has to keep digging and my repect to those who get out there to bring these stories to the attention of the British people, most of whom have no idea how lucky they are!
Gail Cornell, Banstead

I am horrified to think that in 2006 the lives of women are still being destroyed, those that have been brutally murdered and those who are left behind to find justice for their loved ones. I am a mother myself and this programme had and will contine to have a profound effect on me. Is there anything that we can do?
Rose, Ireland

Heartbreaking, appalling, disgraceful indifference to so many deaths. Shame on Guatemala and in particular its president and police. My heart goes out to the tragic parents who have lost their lovely daughters, how can this be allowed to go on? Something MUST be done, I feel so helpless!
Steve Gisler, Portsmouth

This programme has left me furious with the atrocities that continue to happen to women in the present day. The Guatemalan authorities' treatment of the victims was absolutely disgusting. I can hardly believe this is how they live and how little they value women's lives. Yet again another misogynistic culture is murdering and raping girls and women. The BBC has done a fantastic job bringing this issue to light.
Hayley Sercombe, London

What a terribly sad sad programme!! As a mother of a beautiful 10-year-old girl and seven-year-old boy, I was deeply moved by the plight of the poor parents and families left behind to pick up the pieces with the knowledge that probably nothing will be done and the killer will go free. The blase attitude and incompetence of the authorities beggars belief.
Jane, Lostwithiel

This programme shocked me to the core and frightened me badly. That a nation can turn against its women in such a vioent and brutal way does not bode well for the rest of the world for this is a country that is, quite simply, annihilating its future. The government of Guatemala must take brave action and bring the criminals to justice in order to give some hope to bereaved families and a sense of security to young girls and women.
Sharayi Mashasha, Swindon

I can't begin to imagine living in a country like this or how the parents of these poor young girls survive their grief. I was so moved by the plight of the women in this country and I wish from the bottom of my heart that I could do something to help them. Olenka Frenkiel is a brave women. Please keep up the pressure on governments to do something.
Cathy Delacroix, London

Amazing programme, very shocking at times, but a subject like this needs to be told in full detail in order to open our eyes to it. As a European woman in my 20s I cannot believe the different value that would be placed on my life had I been born in Guatamala.
Alli Leech, Dublin

I had no idea things were this bad in Guatamala. I am sitting here in tears for these families. The film was brilliant in that you could feel the despair of the victims' families, the impotence of the ordinary people and the total disinterest and lack of any resolve to change things by the officials.
J Barry, Sudbury

Just wanted to say how much this broadcast opened my eyes. This broadcast has seriously made me angry, as the issues have been clearly portrayed. I would like to thank the person responsible for this programme.
Gary Mclean, Aberdeen

Each time a civil war was ended in Central America after pressure from the international community upon the governments concerned to reach peace accords, the same thing happened. Total immunity and amnesty was granted to those who had committed systemised rape, torture and murder. For this reason there will never be peace until there is justice.
Susan , London

I was horrified by the content of this excellent programme which left no room for optimism, but wonder why there was no input from the church.
Judith, Gravesend

If I could have ripped my TV out of its socket and hurled it straight into the Guatemalen police station (as in, any police station), I would have. I can't remember when I have been so emotionally moved and, at the same time, so outraged. Deepest respect to the bereaved families that are pitting themselves against an indifferent and, quite possibly, utterly corrupt Police force and risking their own lives.
APM Thoresby, London

This is a documentary that needed to be made. A courageous effort to indicate the injustice being done.
Helen Sykes, London

Thank you for your documentary and your brave reporters. They have given a voice to all those that have been murdered. I am stunned by the apathy of the Guatemalan government. Has a copy been sent to any representatives of that government?
Richard Bicknell, Hants

Great straightforward reporting on a population still scared by war, trying to live with totally inept, uncaring and corrupt authorities.
Graham, Worcester Park

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