There's satisfaction from New Zealand authorities for helping identify key distributors of child sexual abuse images.
23 May 2012There's satisfaction from New Zealand authorities for helping identify key distributors of child sexual abuse images.
Staff at the Department of Internal Affairs posed as offenders as part of their research into locating those trading pictures through social media websites.
One of the 12 children identified and removed from harm as part of the operation was from New Zealand. Department spokesman Maarten Quivooy says they then handed that information on to international law enforcement agencies. "I think we all agree that this is abhorrent and that we should do our best to stop it and I'm pleased that New Zealand initiated this but I'm even more pleased that it's led to an international effort to apprehend people and hold them accountable."
He says international law enforcement agencies across 20 countries have been working closely on the operation.
"One of the messages that comes out of this is that people can expect to be detected because of this commitment from enforcement agencies around the world whether it's in Australia, the UK, the United States, everybody is committed to stopping this kind of offending."
Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain says charges have been laid in connection to that local incident.
"My understanding is that there's five people that have been prosecuted here in New Zealand but at a lower level and they weren't part of that 55 arrested as part of the higher level ring of child sex predators."
ECPAT Child Alert national director Alan Bell says the New Zealand authorities have proved they're at the top of their game.
"Certainly ranks up there with other agencies around the world as a leader and I think it's great to bring these guys to justice."
Mr Bell says the operation sends a strong message to those involved with, or still in the trade.
ECPAT http://www.ecpat.org.nz/
http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=147823&fm=newsmain,nrhl#.T7zYGdRcaLM.twitter
I find it particularly sad that people from developed countries are traveling to an impoverished country like Cambodia to prey on children. Cambodians generally look up to foreigners, particularly Westerners, as role models for fairness, benevolence, freedom and justice. The acts of the sex tourists are threatening to undermine the good deeds of those foreigners who are in Cambodia to do good.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I have read a lot lately where Cambodia is cracking down on this. It is sad to think that those who choose to prey on children in Cambodia, in general end up representing those in the western world. I can't imagine what people think of westerners when this type of horrible crime happens. I have also been reading on those who you talk about who are trying hard to help Cambodians. I really appreciate your stopping by and commenting. Come back any time.
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