VICE PROSECUTIONS SIR,—If more people had the courage of Dr.
R. D. Reid in speaking out against these multiple vice prosecutions and the unhappiness and personal tragedy they entail, then our savage and vicious homosexuality laws might well be eased in a com- paratively short time. As it is, these cases involving sometimes as many as fifteen people continue to come before the courts all over the country.
The dubious methods employed to track down the offenders reflect no credit on the police force. Nor do they reflect any credit on a law which, by its harshness and by its interference in personal matters, necessitates the employment of such methods in order to be effectively enforced. Surely, if no action can be taken on the main Wolfenden recommendation on homosexual conduct between consenting adults, a Bill could be introduced to give effect to the secondary recommendations on blackmail and on offences brought to light years after their commission? This would at least be a start.
In the meantime, in addition to a national campaign against the homosexual laws (on the lines of the anti- hanging movement), could not some organisation along the lines of 'Alcoholics Anonymous' be set up to help those involved in prosecutions for these offences and their families (and often dependants)? Help only to be extended in cases not involving elements of assault or corruption of minors.—Yours
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