The lead story in yesterday's STAR was indeed a very shocking one.

According to the story, area leaders in some communities demand that young girls be handed over to them as soon as they turn 16. What is especially disturbing is that the parents of these girls cannot resist the demands of the don. In some instances, they have no option but to simply send off their daughters to be sexually exploited and assaulted. Resisting could mean death.

One particular parent, as mentioned in the story, had no choice but to send her child away in order to avoid the advances of the don. It is sad that some parents are forced to live in these conditions and watch their children being used by cold, callous, heartless men. - men who view their children only as items to be used and eventually discarded.

The police have admitted knowledge of these atrocities, but say they cannot do anything because no official reports have been made. This is disturbing and it is hard to comprehend how the police can know of these illegal activities, but do nothing because they have not received official reports. If they know that a man is being held against his will, do they have to wait for an official report to be filed? One would think that they would go into the community and conduct some thorough investigations.

If the police are aware that there are men who are demanding access to young girls, they need to step in. It is after all, their duty to serve and protect the people.