"Institutionalised child abuse" is an accurate description of this egregious breach of children's rights (Thousands of children are still being strip-searched in custody, 3 March). As John Drew, chief executive of the Youth Justice Board, knows full well, this widespread dehumanisation and humiliation of children breaches the UN convention on the rights of the child and is inflicted on those, often most vulnerable, for whom his state body has a duty of care.

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