Action Society strives to be a voice for the voiceless. That is why we intend to stand up against child pornography and demand legislation that reduces its prevalence in South Africa and seeks to eradicate it.
Action Society furthermore demands a double life sentence for offenders who are guilty of the possession or production of child pornography.
“The public seldom realise what child pornography entails or the impact these people’s behaviour has. The children being filmed are unable to comprehend the extent of what is happening to them or give informed consent to it. Their entire future gets ruined by this sickening act performed by adults. That is why the time has come for us to stand up against this industry as well as any person who gets involved in the child pornography chain. Our government needs to amend legislation to curb this international problem and protect SA’s children,” says Dr. Rineé Pretorius, spokesperson for Action Society.
“If the NRSO were available to the public, we would have had a better idea of perpetrators and it could also help reduce child rape, abuse and other forms of gender based violence (GBV),” says Pretorius.
The recent arrest of a farmer and a prominent member of the Swellendam community in connection with child pornography has prompted Action Society to ask the following questions once more:
* Why was the alleged offender’s bail only R2,000?
* Are sentences for child pornography generally strict enough?
* When will child pornography be declared a priority crime?
* Are there child pornography syndicates in South Africa?
* Can child pornography be linked to human trafficking?
* Is the prevalence of child pornography in South Africa increasing?
* When will the NSRO be made public?
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in his State of the Nation Address on 13 February last year that the Sexual Offenses Act would be amended to expand the categories of sex offenders whose names should be included on the register.
He also said in his newsletter in September 2020 that three new amendments to the protection of women and children were being submitted to parliament. The NSRO would also be made public.
All three bills have been referred to the parliamentary portfolio committee on justice.
The amendments would be approved in early 2021 − something that has not yet happened.
“The answer to a parliamentary question has revealed that only 1,660 names have been recorded on the register for sex offenders in the past decade. Because there are so few names on the register, it means thousands of people who abuse or kill children are allowed to continue their reign of terror,” says Pretorius.
If you agree that the NSRO be made public and that child pornography is declared a priority crime, support Action Society’s #unmaskthemonsters campaign by visiting https://actionsociety.co.za/
Unmask the monsters − we owe it to every child in this country!
