The video footage of those terrible events that happened in Paceville were shocking to the core. The expected and not-so-expected reactions from many quarters gave rise to outright condemnation as many tried to finger the blame on one party or another.

Clearly this is no time to politicise the events but surely it is much food for thought for parents, legislators or simple bystanders. There are at least three salient points that need further debating or, better still, instant action.

Firstly, the ghastly health and safety standards that some (if not many) of our public entertainment establishments afford to the public and particularly their paying patrons. For the last months, following some dastardly scenes on our Paceville streets, many assurances were made that security was being beefed up. More police manpower was supposed to be engaged with a view of enforcing stricter levels of law and order.

Saturday’s events uncovered another dark side to this entertainment mecca. Put simply, health and safety standards in entertainment areas are not up to scratch. Much legislation is well in place however unless the authorities slap fines or close down places, abuse will simply continue on this level.

Enforcement is an absolute necessity but more so the political will

Can anyone put a price on the safety of our youths and families in general who frequent entertainment areas? If no, the relevant health and safety authority should be empowered with greater resources, both human and financial, to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

How many times have you been to a cinema, a club or restaurant and given thought to the accessibility of emergency exits should the need arise?

These are basic security standards which are still missing from a large part of our public places. Enforcement is an absolute necessity but more so the political willto safeguard the safety of our youths in favour of engaging in relations with unscrupulous entrepreneurs.

The second thought that comes to mind is the age of a number of youths involved in this last incident. It beggars belief that thirteen and fifteen-year-olds were in this particular club late at night but then again we weren’t really surprised, were we?

It is common knowledge that there is absolutely no control over minors frequenting Paceville outlets and one wonders whether bouncers are checking ID cards. Shouldn’t minors be protected and not allowed access to certain clubs after a certain time? And what does this say about the sale and consumption of alcohol? Does anyone truly believe that after admission, alcohol is withheld from these minors?

My last argument I reserve for parents and here, I despair. Before I am pigeonholed as a conservative and a blinkered parent, may I say that I am a mother of two and fully understand and appreciate the pressing demands to throng to Paceville like bees to the proverbial honeypot. But while legislators and political leaders have their responsibilities, parents too should exercise a degreeof restraint most especially where minors are concerned.

There is such a thing as parental resposibility that as parents we should never run away from at any cost.

I find the usually pitched excuse of peer pressure extremely regretful and exasperate at parents who cannot lay down basic boundaries. I have always encouraged my children to develop interests outside their academic obligations and to relax in their leisure time.

However, they are fully aware of where the borderlines are and would never dare to cross them. This is a discerning choice that I have made for them and which they have been taught to respect.

Popular it may not be at times, but I am confident that in the long term children benefit from a degree of discipline and from savouring an upbringing based on their safety and well-being.

In my opinion it is simply unacceptable to have minors in nightclubs. Being there with their parents’ blessing simply drives the nail in the coffin of conserving our precious values as a society.

One earnestly hopes that this incident serves as an eye-opener to legislators, educators and parents to clean up our entertainment areas and to access a world of leisure to our youths that is not just based on nightlife.

I wish the victims of this unfortunate episode a speedy recovery.