YOUR double-page spread on November 6, highlighted yet again the distress and despair that is caused by bullying and its long-term effects.

It coincided with two opposing and conflicting measures: to allow parents in England and Wales to continue smacking their children; and Cheri Blair's initiative to tackle bullying.

A ground breaking conference called Bullying, Symptoms, Strategies and Solutions that Work was held in London because bullying remains the largest single reason for a child's distress.

Ten enlightened countries have already banned smacking. For to strike another human being is to take away their dignity and self- respect. If a helpless child is beaten, in whatever context, then the adult has failed to communicate and the seed for violence is planted as being normal and acceptable behaviour.

As Cheri Blair stated in her initiative to stamp out bullying, this scourge in our society is everywhere.

The recent case of Captain Janet Kelly who was bullied and insulted by Lieutenant Colonel Jean Kennedy is a prime example.

Bullying causes 14 young people to commit suicide in the course of one week in our own country. These precious young lives have been constantly hounded to the point of isolation and terrible fear to the moment when they fell unable to take any more and that death is the only way out.

Tragic cases are constantly being reported because bullying takes very many forms. Verbal abuse, isolation, rejection. Sneering, cruel eye contact and gestures, inciting others to victimise the list is endless.

Cheri Blair's initiative is admirable and crucial to the wellbeing and happiness of our children.

However, I believe that we have yet to tackle the silent witnesses. Until children and teenagers conquer their own fear to stand up and be counted, to challenge the bully and to support the victim, this terrible indictment within our society will continue in all walks of life.

Nine-year-old Anne-Maria Wissluk-Randall has a beautiful face beyond her desperately sad expression.

That she was constantly bullied by one particular girl for a number of years is sickening and deplorable.

We must not allow this cycle to continue so that the adult becomes the extension of the school bully. Only a total ban on physical violence will protect our children.

Our children deserve the respecting, nurturing and caring that is their right and their heritage.

MARY RATCLIFFE

Old Town, Swindon