SIR – I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing to reply to the comment that abuse “happens whenever men are put in charge of children, to put it bluntly”(Letters, April 14).

This is totally untrue.

As a primary school teacher, I am angry that you seem comfortable in printing such a comment. It is a slur on all men and deeply offensive. Many of the most recently publicised cases of child abuse have all involved women, the Portsmouth nursery to name just one.

I am a Catholic myself, and, along with everyone I know, vehemently condemn the abuse (and cover-up) that has taken place by some members of my faith.

However, to allow a person to condemn every man as a potential abuser of children is an outrage.

Mr M O’Hara, Shuttleworth Lane, Bradford