Massive online paedophile Ring exposed with 70,000 members. NBC news reports that an Internet pedophile ring with up to 70,000 members — thought
to be the world's largest —has been uncovered by police, a security
official said.
 |
| Grant Edwards, of the Australian Federal Police (right), Peter Davis
(center) of the U.K.'s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre,
Europol director Rob Wainwright outline details of arrests during
"Operation Rescue" linked to a global child abuse network during a news
conference in The Hague Wednesday. |
The European police agency
Europol said in a statement that "Operation Rescue"
had identified 670 suspects and that 230 abused children in 30
countries had been taken to safety. More children are expected to be
found, Europol said.
It said that so far 184 people had been arrested and investigations
in some countries were continuing. Most of those detained are suspected
of direct involvement in sexually abusing children.
They include teachers,
police officers and scout leaders, AP
reported. One Spaniard who worked at summer youth camps is suspected of
abusing some 100 children over five years.
Europol director Rob Wainwright said Wednesday the ring, which
communicated using an Internet forum, was "probably the largest online
paedophile network in the world."
Cori Bassett, a public affairs officer for U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement, said in an email that there had been five arrests
and four convictions in connection with Operation Rescue in the U.S.
"Arrests so far have been made in Georgia and Connecticut. ICE continues to pursue the leads provided by Europol," she added.
The website was shut down following the three-year investigation, Europol said.
"The website operated from a server based in the Netherlands and, at
its height, boasted up to 70,000 members worldwide," it added.
"It attempted to operate as a 'discussion–only' forum where people
could share their sexual interest in young boys without committing any
specific offences, thus operating 'below the radar' of police
attention," Europol said.
"Having made contact on the site, some members would move to more
private channels, such as email, to exchange and share illegal images
and films of children being abused. Computers seized from those arrested
have harvested huge quantities of child abuse images and videos," it
added.
Police infiltrated site
The Europol statement said U.K. and Australian police
infiltrated the site to identify the members who posed the greatest
danger to children. Police also sometimes posed as children on-line as
part of the investigation.
Law enforcement authorities from 13 countries, including the United
States, Australia, Canada, Italy, Spain and the U.K., were involved in
the case, Europol said.
The statement said Europol analysts had cracked the security features
of a key computer server at the centre of the network which uncovered
the identities of suspected child sex offenders.
And, after his arrest, the forum's Dutch administrator helped police
break encryption measures that shielded users' identities, allowing
police to begin their covert investigations.
"
Europol subsequently issued over 4,000 intelligence reports to
police authorities in over 30 countries in Europe and elsewhere, which
has led to the arrests of suspects and the safeguarding of children,"
Europol said.
Wainwright said he was proud of the "exceptional work of our experts
in helping police authorities around the world to record these
groundbreaking results."
"The safeguarding of so many vulnerable children is particularly
rewarding and demonstrates the commitment of our agency to make Europe a
safer place for its citizens," he added.
The investigation was led by Britain's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Center.
Peter Davies, of the center, said there would be more arrests as the investigations continue.
"Those who have been members of the site can expect a knock on the door in the very near future," he said.
In Britain, police said, the children involved were aged between 7 and 14.
Australian Federal Police commander Grant Edwards said suspects
arrested in Australia ranged in age from 19 to 84 and used the Internet
to "prey on children with anonymity, with subterfuge and with
camouflage."
Children, Edwards said, "should be able to use the Internet safely,
without fear of being approached or groomed by these online predators."
read more http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42108748/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/massive-online-pedophile-ring-busted-cops/#.ULJF2O_6r6N
Last year a sickening Paedophile Ring producing DVD's of child sex abuse was smashed. The ring was used by at least 600 people and the board members abused children themselves.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2022180/Authorities-smash-sickening-global-internet-paedophile-ring-16-000-DVDs-worth-images.html
Social Workers calls for investigaton os Paedophile Ring involving Islington UK.
read more http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2012/nov/social-worker-who-exposed-child-abuse-islingtons-care-homes-1992-backs-calls-fresh-cri
This month A Royal Commission was ordered in Australia to investigate Decades of allegations of child sexual abuse carried out in
churches, schools, government-run hostels and foster homes will be
investigated by a wide-ranging royal commission that is expected to run
for years.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the
establishment of the commission yesterday in the wake of demands from
victims' groups and the political spectrum for an inquiry.
While
the Catholic Church is the most prominent group that will be examined
about the treatment of children in its care, other religious
organisations, public and private schools, State-run institutions such
as hostels and not-for-profit groups such as the Scouts will also face
scrutiny.
The response of police and State child protection
authorities to allegations of sexual abuse will also be drawn into the
inquiry.
read more http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/15365522/royal-commission-into-vile-and-evil/
The Children Commission for the United Kingdom released a report in November 2012
"
Based on evidence submitted to the CSEGG Inquiry, at least 16,500 children were identified as being
at risk of child sexual exploitation during one year and 2,409 children were confirmed as victims of
sexual exploitation in gangs and groups during the 14-month period from August 2010 to October
2011.
Evidence to the Inquiry indicates that in any given year the actual number of children being abused
is far greater than the 2,409 that have been confirmed. Interviews with children and young people,
evidence collected during site visits and gathered at hearing sessions all indicated that many children
who were sexually exploited either remained unseen by professionals or, even when known, were not
recorded in the call for evidence submissions received by the OCC.
16,500 children from across England were identified as being at high risk of child sexual exploitation"
Read more in PDF 21 November 2012Child Sexual Exploitation Inquiry interim report - I thought I was the only one. The only one in the world
Now tell me why are there so many child abuse debunkers ? What are they worried about?
