[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
BBC NEWS Online - UK - Crackdown on Net porn
BBC NEWS Online - UK - Crackdown on Net porn
The guidance aims to improve child protection measures
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_431000/431160.stm
The government is to crack down on paedophiles who use the
Internet to distribute pornography.
The Web is one of the areas outlined in a consultation paper
detailing how agencies can cooperate to protect children from
abuse.
The draft guidance, Working Together to Safeguard Children, is
part of government plans to get tough on child abuse and to
ensure protection measures address current problems.
It is believed to be the first time guidance has been issued on
how to handle Internet pornographers.
Other areas covered by the paper include safeguards for
vulnerable children, particularly the disabled and children in
care along with measures to prevent unsuitable people working
with young people. It also states how child prostitutes should
be treated as victims rather than criminals.
'Effects ignored'
It also stresses the importance of assessing the effect of wider
social problems on children, such as domestic violence, divorce,
parental mental illness and social exclusion.
Experts say the effect on children of living with or witnessing
domestic violence has often been ignored.
The government says the paper, which updates 1991 guidance, also
reflects "our better knowledge and understanding of adults who
pose a threat to children" and outlines ways of deterring them.
Health Minister John Hutton said: "The guidance stresses the
shared responsibility of families, professionals and the wider
community for keeping children safe from harm, and helping them
to grow up happy and thriving."
Recent studies
He added that it gave agencies such as social workers, teachers
and the police "a clear framework" on how they should work
together to tackle abuse.
The draft guidance, which is out to consultation until 31
October, outlines how organised abuse should be investigated in
the light of evidence from recent major inquiries and provides a
framework for conducting reviews into cases where a child has
died through abuse or neglect.
It proposes that an executive summary of each review shoud be
made public so others can draw important lessons.
A final version of the guidance will be published by the end of
the year.
'Firm foundation'
Tony Butler, a spokesperson for the Association of Chief Police
Officers which has been working with the government, said the
guidance would help agencies work together to reduce abuse.
"[It] will provide a firm foundation for future working
practices."
Rob Hutchinson of the Association of Directors of Social
Services added: "It has taken account of the changing
environment in child protection, and in particular new areas of
understanding, including children involved in prostitution and
the potential for abuse via the Internet.
"We believe that procedures have been strengthened through this
exercise."
And a spokeswoman for the National Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Children particularly welcomed the guidance on the
Internet.
"It shows how paedophiles will find new avenues as their more
traditional ones are closed down.
"They can get access to children via the Internet and we need to
be on top of that."
© BBC
===
----------------------
David Goldstein
email: Goldstein_David@yahoo.com.au
post: 5 Coles Lane, Oakington, Cambridge, CB4 5BA, UK
phone: + 44 (0)1223 574 857 (h); +44 (0)1223 237 700 (w);
+44 (0)7979 965 503 (mobile). ICQ: 32130305.
_______________________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @yahoo.com.au address at http://mail.yahoo.com.au
or your free @yahoo.co.nz address at http://mail.yahoo.co.nz
* APPLe: To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe" to apple-request@apnic.net *
