WITH reference to “Child sex crimes shock” (The Press, February 23), this comes of no surprise to me.

The authorities have been aware of the problem over many years, but until the Freedom of Information Act came into force the truth was not always forthcoming.

However, this has been happening throughout history, none more so than in the Victorian era, when child abuse took many forms, particularly within the family circle, when incest was practised and child labour was common.

Child prostitution was not restricted only to the working class, but occurred across all divides within society.

Under the cloak of respectability, morality and religion were the supposed guiding influences, but children were used as pawns in a game practised for financial gain or reward.

For instance, in 1840 there was a market for hiring children, mainly pauper children, to any workman or tradesman.

Children aged ten or under worked ten-and-three-quarter hours a day.

Scales of pay in the coal mines of Bradford and Leeds in 1842 read as follows: aged five, 2s 6d; aged nine, 3s 6d.

Such pay scales existed until the Children’s And Young Persons Act came into force in 1933.

However, with the recent murders committed by young people carrying firearms and dealing in drugs, are we facing an extreme reversal, with the erosion of family values and discipline, which incorporated the moderate correction of a child?

Kenneth Bowker, Vesper Walk, Huntington, York.