Accepting a pay off as compensation for child abuse has to be
stopped
(republishing, copying, no restrictions)
By: Father Shay Cullen
The sexual abuse of children is a horrendous problem that seems to be getting worse despite efforts to stop it and protect children.
The recent arrest trial and conviction of former rock star Gary Glitter in Vietnam is one sign of hope that the authorities will act to save children and do justice. The sexual trafficking and exploitation of Asian children by wealthy foreigner pedophiles and sex tourists is being addressed by government officials. Some are even part of it.
In the Philippines, a British, Douglas Slade, a long time resident in Angeles city was arrested late last year and charged with the sexual abuse of five young boys. He denies all the charges and is free on bail as the trial continues.
The minors alleged that he brought them to his house and allegedly showed them pornographic videos and then sexually abused and gave them money. Both act a grave violation of the child protection law. Mr. Slade, a former Navy man and a cook on the Royal Yacht Britannia, denies all charges. He was charged here a few years ago on similar charges which he also denied. He was acquitted when the witnesses failed to testify. In a Yorkshire television documentary titled “Defender of Children”, Mr. Slade is shown admitting that money would change hands to settle the case.
The BBC recently interviewed a judge in the Angeles city family court who said that it is very difficult to convict any of the suspects because the witnesses are paid off.
The Preda Charity, in Olongapo City which I set up to help abused children recover and to testify in court. This is an important healing process when they are able for it. The center has rescued and helped hundreds of children over the years. Four children, the youngest 13, succeeded in testifying against an Australian accused of trafficking them into the sex bar which he operates in Angeles City. Australian MPs Tony Stewart and House Speaker John Aquilina, NSW visited Preda in February to encourage us to continue the work and promised help.
Getting a conviction is not easy and government officials don't like bad publicity that could hurt the tourist business. Recently the Department of Justice down graded the charges against four visiting American sailors charged with the rape of a young woman and would have “exonerated them but did not, to appease the mob”, said the secretary of justice describing the advocates of women and children’s rights.
The Philippines is on the US State Department level two watch-list for non-compliance with it’s international obligations to curb and prosecute traffickers of women and children. Only one conviction by Philippine authorities is recorded. During these past months, the Preda Child Rescue and protection Team I started in Olongapo City has rescued hundreds of sexually abused and exploited children over the years and brought them to safety at the Preda Children's Home.
Despite having the courage to tell of the abuse inexplicably, parents and local government officials arrange for a payment of “compensation”, by the paedophile and sex molester. Making a pay off is a common practice, called “Areglo”.
The abuser goes free to molest more children; the local officials get the money and give the parents a small amount. The child victims many as young as seven and eight years-old are ignored. The parents don't realise that they are in reality pimping their child and so are the officials.
Those children suffer greatly for the rest of their lives. After we rescued little Annie, an 8-year-old, we found out that the pay off was made but the abuser came back and raped her again. We have him in prison awaiting trial and we are enduring death threats from his powerful relatives and friends. He faces life in prison if convicted.
With the help of the Irish Government human rights aid programme, we are conducting training seminars and workshops for local government officials and villagers. The Human rights education team gave 201 seminars to teachers, students and parents in 2005 reaching 13,285 people! More and more cases are now being referred to the children's home for care and therapy and recovery and hopefully the deal making will end. [End]
