ALL child exploiters need, is access to an Internet link.
No passport is required and no checkpoints passed as perpetrators engage in the most depraved of crimes against children.
The South African Law Reform Commission has now embarked on an intensive investigation into child abuse material and sexual grooming of children, to ultimately beef up the country’s existing legislation.
Child pornography globally generates between $3-billion and $20-billion a year.
Independent researcher, Dr Monique Emser, told the Zululand Observer that recent high profile cases indicated how alarmingly pervasive child sexual abuse images are in South Africa and the incredibly disturbing forms it takes.
‘Child abuse materials are documented evidence of a crime scene, namely a child being sexually abused.
‘Child exploiters are typically part of highly sophisticated international networks.
‘According to the Internet Watch Foundation, 81 percent of victims are under 10 years old.
‘The demand for child sexual abuse material fuels sexual abuse, brutalisation, torture and even murder of children.
‘We must urgently address gaps in existing legislation to ensure that the law and implementing agencies are capable of preventing and protecting children from such horrors.’
The Commission is seeking public participation in completing a comprehensive questionnaire about deliberate exposure of children to pornography through mass media and technology for the purpose of grooming and exploitation.
The creation and distribution of sexually explicit material of children by themselves or targeting other children, have also been flagged for discussion.
The Commission’s final recommendations with draft legislation will be submitted to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services.
Respondents are requested to submit written comment, representations or requests to the Commission before 30 November.
