For Adults Only – the monsters that lurk…

From the Editor's Desk

I will be doing a regular Web-Site editorial of South African sites worthy of attention. This week we are featuring The Pedo-File.
This site run by Jacqui Thomas shares some frightening information, information all parents need to be aware of!!




The disclaimer on the site reads:
“Portions of this website may contain graphic images and text, which may offend and/or trigger sensitive viewers and are not recommended for viewing by persons under the age of 18. Viewer discretion is advised.”

WOW – makes one wonder what exactly will be found in the rest of the site? But as parents we owe it to our children to read the information, take in what is being shown, and do whatever it takes to protect them. As I write this my youngest is asleep here next to me, he is only a year old, the picture of innocence itself. I know I will do everything in my power to protect that innocence, including reading what may well be the most disturbing piece of information I have ever read.

Most parents live in complete ignorance of what is happening in today’s society, with internet access freely available in many homes we need to ask ourselves “What exactly are my children doing on-line and exactly what are they being exposed to?”

The site’s Introduction & Mission Statement states:
"My first introduction to the wonders of online communication was in approximately 1996, when I was first connected to the internet. It didn't take long though, before I was also introduced to the world of online predators. At the time, MSN Chatrooms were the "in thing" and, admittedly, I made some very good friends, in particular with one family in the United Kingdom. Jimmy and I have been communicating on and off since then and he has become an integral part of my life both online and off.

What disturbed me most about the chatrooms I frequented was the number of men (in particular, although women were soon to follow) who lurked in these chatrooms, only to make their presence known when a minor entered. As a chatter, I was constantly hit on by these men, who often became quite insistent within a minute or two and who I often had to put on "ignore" to enable my chats with friends. Ultimately, I opted to use MSN Instant Messenger to communicate with my friends, as it was easier and a more pleasant experience, due to the ease with which one could "block" contacts who made a nuisance of themselves.

Over the next few years, I volunteered my services as a chatroom monitor to a number of overseas organisations. Unfortunately, my own country (South Africa) had as yet not felt a need for such a service.

I then went on to study Psychology and Criminology part-time and for a number of years and I temporarily shelved the idea, until one day, while browsing the internet in search of information relating to my studies, I came across a group on the internet who call themselves "Perverted-Justice" . I immediately registered an account with them, determined to find out everything I possibly could about starting a similar organisation in South Africa. They have proved themselves over and over in the United States and I can only hope that The Pedo-File will, one day, have a similar impact in South Africa. "

Really disturbing, read further…

"Self-appointed "Online Sexual Offences Monitor" drops a Bombshell. For just one moment, put yourself in this mother's shoes:
You've had a hard day at work, you've made supper, done homework, and settled your children down for the night. It's time to kick back and relax, so you sit down at your desk and log into your PC to check your mail. Little do you know that what is to follow, will not only enrage you, but will sicken you to the very core of your being.
You see that someone has logged into MSN and forgotten to log out again. Your curiosity gets the better of you and you click on the tab “Archived Messages”. What you're expecting to see is the idle banter of two young friends chatting, but what you see is something quite different.

You are reading an article written by a self-appointed “Online Sexual Offences Monitor”. Now before you go calling me a vigilante, read the following excerpts from a recent chat my underage persona had, and tell me that what I am doing is unnecessary or unjustified:

Read the conversation that took place here.

It seems to me that there must be a “Perv's Handbook” out there that all of these creeps read. The questions used to establish the true age of the minor with whom they are corresponding seem to be pre-written. And don't be fooled into thinking that they are only after teenagers or simple "roleplaying". I have had similar conversations under the persona of a 10 year old too. This particular chat was with someone overseas, but could just have easily been with a local. Sadly, the chats my persona has had with locals have been much more graphic and in several instances, the perv has tried to make arrangements to meet in person.

From recent news headlines, I see that there have been changes made to our Sexual Offences Bill and that there is a possibility that South Africa may soon have its own Sexual Offenders Register. Until then, as a parent of three minor children, I appeal to you: Be very aware.

Don't ever assume that your children could/would not become prey to this type of villain. It is out there. It is happening - whether you want to believe it or not.

All that stands between them and your children is YOU.

Be there for them. "

Please visit this site along with Pink Ladies for more information, you owe it to your kids; you owe it to yourself.

Pink Ladies whose primary occupation is the tracing and returning of missing / endangered children and adults, has also recently launched “Project Teen Talk” which offers an alternative secure, moderated message board & three chat rooms.

Pink Ladies will be featured in a future Web-Site Editorial.

Creating awareness of abuse against children...

By Fayrooz Bailey

Two young South African children were brutally robbed of their lives over the past two weeks - seven-year-old Sheldean Human from Pretoria, and 11-year-old Annasetacia Wiese from Cape Town. It seems little has changed since this column - a rallying call to arms in the fight against violence against children - first appeared on http://www.iafrica.com/ and this week… That shouldn't have been. Nothing to be proud about...

Fri, 23 Sep 2005

Outrage should permeate the collective consciousness. Activism, which died a sad death with the advent of democracy and shiny shopping malls, should be resurrected. We should be planning a Million Parents' March; form a human chain that would span the country; launch a paedophile public registry. My god, anything will do. As long as we do SOMETHING. Because frankly I'm tired of this culture of "if it doesn't affect me I can't be bothered…"

Because even though it appears to be merely statistics, headlines speak volumes, as do conversations one cannot help but eavesdrop on while on the train, in the taxi or in the bus, by people who live in communities affected by this abhorrent scourge – violence against children. The week started on a grim note with news that the body of 10-year-old Benoni girl, Marissa Naidoo, had been found on Sunday, stuffed in a suitcase. Marissa had been abducted from her school the week before. When police swooped on the flat of her alleged kidnapper, he fled, leaping to his death over a balcony. Marissa was buried on Wednesday.

Later on Monday, also disappearing from her school, was eight-year-old Cape Town girl Veronique Solomons. The last time she was reportedly seen was around lunchtime on the back of a stranger's bicycle. Nearly a week later, and there's still no sign of Veronique. Let our hope that she will be found safe and sound remain as strong as her parents'… …

And for the parents of a two-year-old boy who was allegedly abducted in Athlone, Cape Town on Saturday. For the family of three-year-old Juwaida Joseph from Delft in Cape Town, however, all hope has died. The toddler apparently disappeared between 2 and 4pm on Wednesday while playing outside her home. Police found her body in a field three kilometres from her house.

Seven-year-old Ntswaki Sonica Moloi from Bethlehem met an untimely and tragic death too this week. Her half-naked body was found in the casing of a sports stadium floodlight on Sunday night. A 27-year-old man, a neighbour, had been arrested. The possibility of rape will be investigated.

The SA Police Service's annual report this week stated that children were the victims in 40.8 percent of rape cases reported during 2004/05. "It is clear that especially in relation to sexually motivated violence, women and children (who together account of 100 percent of rape victims) are indeed extremely vulnerable," said the report. Despite this, and the fact that rape had increased by four percent over the two financial years and indecent assault by eight percent, Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula, upon releasing the report in Pretoria on Wednesday, said: "The future to me looks very rosy in terms of the fight against crime and criminality in South Africa." Later on he admonished South Africans for bad-mouthing their country overseas and giving it the image of a crime-ridden nation. I think the message is being spread regardless of bad mouthing.

In court this week, was Dina Rodriguez, accused of plotting the murder of six-month-old baby Jordan Leigh Norton. One newspaper showed a cheerful looking Rodriguez outside the court, where her bail was being challenged after she allegedly violated its conditions. There was something macabre about that smile.

Also in court this week was a 32-year-old East London businessman, who has been charged with possessing pornographic photographs of five-year-old girls. The pictures were found on a digital camera.

I come from Mitchell's Plain, a community that had witnessed the pain and suffering of many a parent who had lost a child to violence at the hands of someone else. Like Matthew Ohlson and Rafiek Hardien – whose family I personally know. Ohlson (9) disappeared in 1997; he has yet to be found. His parents Michael and Michelle Ohlson have established the organisation, Concerned Parents for Missing Children, to help track down other missing children.

Five-year-old Hardien went missing from the road on which he lives in August last year. His body was found in Mitchell's Plain two weeks later. He had been murdered. In the case of crime and violence against children, statistics are not merely numbers. Are we allowing these crimes to happen? By becoming the docile, preoccupied society that we have; by our silence; by failing to acknowledge that we share a collective responsibility in keeping children safe; by not reclaiming our streets? We are. And there's nothing Proudly South African about that. .

Fayrooz Bailey was recently awarded a White Ribbon Award from Women Demand Dignity for her 2005 column 'Nothing to be proud about...' She is news editor for iafrica.com and mother to two delightful cherubs.