ECPAT
Father Shay Cullen,
ECPAT International wishes to publicly express its support for Father Shay Cullen in the Philippines, and to suggest that the charges against him be dropped immediately.
Shay Cullen has been a defender of the rights of children against sexual abuse and exploitation for many years. In the course of his work he has irked many people, particularly child abusers and people who were earning money from the prostitution of young children and adolescents.
The Philippine government has passed strong child protection measures in recent years; many child sex offenders have been jailed or deported; a national plan of action provides a framework for continued action over the coming years. This vigorous response to the problem of child sexual exploitation in the Philippines would never have come about had it not been for the actions of individuals like Shay Cullen, and of NGO's such as the PREDA Foundation and ECPAT Philippines.
But the courage of Shay Cullen attracts the attention of those who fear for themselves, the paedophiles and their collaborators. To rid themselves of the risk of exposure, to mask their own activities, they attack the child-rights defender. The 'Backlash' begins.
ECPAT International stands with Shay Cullen and PREDA. We urge the Philippine justice system to honour the true meaning of the principles of the 'Rule of Law'. The charges of child abuse now brought against a person, who has for so long defended and protected abused children, should be seen as nothing more than 'frivolous and vexatious' claims brought by persons whose interest is in having Shay Cullen removed from being a thorn in the side of child sex abusers.
via e-mail dated September 06, 2000
