You need to understand the threat of Child Pornography!
Every pornographic image is a crime scene. Imagine pictures of babies, with their umbilical cords still attached, being raped. Imagine toddlers being raped. Victims who cannot speak in court. Imagine your 10 year old being persuaded to expose themselves, not understanding what they are doing.
The Belgian police discovered one of these perverts, right here in Plett. Listen to the interview of what has been happening right on our doorstep.
The extent of this crime is shocking and has outraged many of the locals who attended the Press Conference presented by the Woman and Men Against Child Abuse Organisation.
The child pornographer arrested here in Plett has indeed caused an awakening and awareness among the community and parents. We need to continue spreading the awareness to protect our children.
The press conference held on the 21st April 2015 at the Bayview hotel outlined information on the recent arrests for manipulation (manufacturing), possession and distribution of images of babies and children being raped and the challenges that are faced in eradicating these crimes.
By creating awareness we aim to prevent and eradicate these crimes – we need the public to take action in putting pressure on the South African government to make every effort in stopping the abuse of children used to create images of child rape – and we commend Yvette Wilshut and all members of the public and the NGO’s here in Plettenberg Bay and surrounding areas for all their activism, their marches and court protests. – Miranda Freedman Jordan, WMACA Founder.
In the press conference there were various topics discussed, such as – ‘what is child pornography?’ – The general response to child pornography is that it’s just ‘kiddie porn’ and pictures. We need to stress what the background and reality is – actual rape of children to make these images. A far cry from a little kid running around naked on the beach!
There seems to be no thinking around the victim that gave rise to an image of child rape. The reality is that there is a child victim that needs help in every image!
The stark reality of child pornography is that it is the actual rape, torture and in many instances the murder of children filmed, recorded, sold and distributed.
Try to imagine what happens and what goes into the production of images, the sexual abuse of children – most of us would not be able to come any where near to the real horror of child pornography.
It is heinous, horrendous and malicious sexual crimes against children that happen every second of every day around the world.
There have been many arguments around the fact of the offenders rights and how the suspect in question is innocent until proven guilty – the sad truth is, the children that were affected, cannot be expected to speak for themselves.
Doctors have admitted that they do not have the training to deal with the injuries that babies/toddlers have once they have been sexually brutalised.
What does this say about our society? What about the child’s life if he/she survives?
The Woman and Men against Child Abuse, as well as many of the locals here in Plettenberg Bay are tired of hearing sympathy for these suspects – faced with allegations and conjecture –innocent until proven guilty – what about the child victims? Tortured, raped, brutalised, murdered, – if they survive – potentially psychologically scarred for life – limited in living their lives in a certain way… these are horrific serious crimes.
How do we educate ourselves? How do we protect our children?
Well, firstly, there is not enough done in South Africa on prevention of pornography, as in this country, pornography is legal.
Parents and especially our educational system are extremely important when it comes to engaging children in discussions on sexting and the realities, addictions and consequences of viewing, manufacturing and distributing child pornography.
A harsh reality – we need to expose our children and allow them to understand the horrific things that happen in the world, so that they too can be aware.
Our children should not expect anything less of us, for these are crimes against them for which we, as a society, must bear full responsibility. They need to be aware that any image that is placed on the internet, via social media, messaging, anything of the sort, the image is there for life, it cannot be deleted – it is impossible.
Depraved indifference to human life reflects a wicked, evil or inhuman state of mind.
There is not enough done in South Africa on prevention. Parents are either absent or ignorant of what their children are doing on their computers, tablets and smart phones. Parents and especially our education system are extremely important in engaging children in discussions surrounding the dangers and their safety.
Unfortunately, today there is no way to stop your child coming across pornography or graphic images by accident. For example, using any web browser with or without ad blocks, can install cookies or malicious files on ones computer causing pop-up ads containing porn and other horrifying images when searching for innocent things or even opening Facebook, the key here is education.
Educators and parents are needed to have open discussions with children on the dangers of downloading images of child rape and abuse and sexting and should keep a close eye on their kids’ online activity – check your browsers once in a while, and even do computer reformats regularly, it is very difficult to disable the malicious files that are installed.
A shocking fact that has been revealed in the recent arrests and has become an essential alert to be made to the public and parents is how many career offenders are employed at our schools!
This topic is indeed very sensitive, but a stand needs to be taken.
Cases involving children should be high priority as they – the children – are our upcoming generation, living with these scars of brutalising images on the internet that cannot be removed.
Let us not forget the thousands of babies and children all over the world who have been brutalised, tortured and murdered by the despicably depraved for the pleasure of the despicably perverted.
Our criminal justice system must show the world that we – Plettenberg Bay locals, the Woman and Men Against Abuse organisation, every individual – is committed to protecting all children from predators who wish to harm the future generation for their own sick pleasures.
Below are images taken at the Press Conference and outside of the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate Court on the 22nd April 2015, the day of the trial for the suspect in question.
Women & Men Against Child Abuse is a Non-profit organisation committed to fighting for the rights of the child and to end the abuse of children in South Africa, through a multifaceted and aggressive offensive against any form of abuse and gender violence.
For more information on how you can get involved contact Tiffany at ShowMe Plett via email or:
- Miranda Friedmann -083 250 6821
- Germaine Vogel – 082 450 3243
- Vincentia Dlamini-Ngobese – 082 896 9840
- Luke Lamprecht – 084 606 0639
- Tania Otto – 076 415 7109 (Afrikaans)
- Yvette Wilschut – 0824138077 (Plett representative)