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13 May 2008

The Films and Publications Board (FPB), led by the CEO Ms Shoki Bopape, and the Ministerial Task Team on Child Pornography (MTT), chaired by the Honourable Annalize van Wyk, all under the stewardship of Deputy Minister Malusi Gigaba, continue to work together in developing strategies to combat child pornography.

Part of the work that has been done, through the FPB, is the research to better understand the manifestation of child pornography in South Africa.

Today we are presenting the findings and recommendations of the three research reports conducted thus far:

* Report on internet usage and the exposure of pornography to learners in South African schools – Films and Publications Board (FPB) (2006)
* The use of children in pornography in South Africa – Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) report commissioned by the Ministerial Task Team on Anti-Child Pornography (MTT) (2007)
* Technology puts children under threat – FPB investigation into the incidence and impact of non-contact sexual abuse through the internet and cell phones (2008).

These reports will also be the subject of discussions in the upcoming National Indaba about the child pornography that we will detail later.

Report on internet usage and the exposure of pornography to learners in South African schools – FPB (2006)

The aim of this survey, conducted among learners in the 13 to 17+ years age-group in randomly-selected schools in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, to provide an informed basis for the establishment and implementation of public policy initiatives and other measures not only to minimise children's exposure to such materials but also to empower them with the necessary skills to cope with any distress that they might suffer from involuntary exposure to disturbing, harmful and objectionable materials both online and offline.

The main findings of this report were that:

* In films: most (67 percent) reported having seen a pornographic film, 65 percent out of curiosity, mostly on DVD. More boys (84 percent) than girls (54 percent) have watched at least one pornographic film. 45 percent reported watching pornographic films regularly.
* On the internet: most (64 percent) have been exposed to pornographic images on the internet. Of those who have encountered pornography on the internet, 70 percent reported coming across such materials accidentally. More than half (60 percent) exchange addresses of pornographic websites with their friends.
* On mobile cellular phones: most children who participated in the survey (88 percent) have their own cellular phones. 81 percent reported knowledge of pornographic images on the phones of their friends and would, therefore, have seen such images.
* In magazines: less than half (43 percent) reported that they get and read pornographic magazines. Those who do read pornographic magazines mostly get the magazines from friends.
* Learners response to pornographic materials: less than half (42 percent) of those who watch pornographic films reported feeling uncomfortable when watching such films, with 51 percent reporting that watching such films made them more curious about sex. Of those who have come across pornography online, 52 percent reported looking at the images before exiting the site, and 38 percent reported that they were "not bothered" by the pornographic images they come across. However, 73 percent agreed that watching pornography does have harmful effects on people.

The use of children in pornography in South Africa – HSRC report commissioned by the MTT (2007)

This study investigated the extent of manufacturing and distribution of child pornography in South Africa, the number of criminal cases in which child pornography played a role, and whether it is possible to establish profiles of perpetrators and children who are vulnerable to this form of exploitation.

As the phenomenon of internet child abuse is recent, research data is limited. No prior studies have been conducted in South Africa. For this reason, desk reviews were undertaken and these were complemented by key informant interviews with the South African Police, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), internet service providers and child protection organisations. A consultation was also held with specialists from the United Kingdom (UK) including child protection police and academics.

The extent of the problem in South Africa is not known, and it is important to stress that the full reality will never be known, given the clandestine nature of the crime. However, some estimates claim that there are more than one million child sexual abuse images are available on the internet. This figure is escalating, not least because the average person now has private access to the internet. The internet has made it much easier to distribute these images and for 'communities' of users to form. It has also made it possible for perpetrators to enter child chat rooms to groom children for abusive acts.

The number of reported child pornography cases in South Africa is unknown because sexual offence data is not disaggregated. The study estimated that fewer than 20 cases of persons possessing, manufacturing or distributing images have been investigated in SA over the past five years.

There is no profile of children who are vulnerable to this form of abuse. However, there is some indication that those most likely to be involved in the production of images are children who have an established relationship with the abuser and who do not have adequate supervision. Children with internet and high end cell phones are vulnerable to abuse with this technology (e.g. requests from adults to produce pornographic images of themselves or to meet the perpetrator). Children may be vulnerable when relations with their parents are strained, if they have low self-esteem and if internet use is unsupervised.

Key recommendations based on the study were the following:

* Policing and prosecutorial teams need specialised technological skills to investigate offences. They need ongoing training.
* Sexual offence statistics must be disaggregated to determine the extent of possession and production of child pornography.
* Computers and cellphones must have filtering software and parents must be aware of potential dangers.
* Internet service providers (ISP's) should be obliged to report clients who download and/or distribute child abuse images.

Technology puts children under threat – FPB investigation into the incidence and impact of non-contact sexual abuse through the internet and cell phones (2008).

The research was conducted amongst children between the ages 10-12 years (Grade five to seven) and 13-15 years (Grade eight to nine) in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. A total of 604 questionnaires and 37 in-depth interviews were completed.

The research study found that 22 percent of the children who participated in the study have been exposed to distressing content on the internet mostly of a sexual nature and nudity which made them feel uncomfortable. 14 percent of chat room users in the age group have been exposed to distressing content in chat rooms and have had sexual advances made to them on line. 12 percent have been exposed to distressing content on cell phones mostly of a sexual nature. Seven percent have been exposed to distressing e-mail content which was mostly violent and sexual.

Exposure to sexual content, nudity and unwanted sexual approaches resulted in negative emotions and feelings of discomfort, sadness, revulsion, fear, shock, anger and embarrassment. The study revealed that the effects of exposure were shown to linger long after exposure to the distressing content, e.g.

* "I don't really like going to the internet anymore, because I am scared" said a 10 to 12 year old girl.
* "If you are sleeping in the bed, sometimes in the middle of the night you feel like something on the other side of the bed - but you are dreaming – and then you just look and then the porn is there" said a 10-12 year old boy participating in the research study.

The internet and cell phones are regarded by children in the age group 10 to 15 years as a trusted and intimate friend; therefore intrusion of inappropriate content must be viewed in the light of a violation of both their trust and personal space. 60 percent of the sample shared the opinion that cell phones should be regulated, while 64 percent felt the same way about the internet. The FPB is protecting and lobbying for the safety and innocence of South African children through suggestions of regulation and monitoring of Internet sites as well as cell phone usage.

Conclusion

These revealing reports should lay the basis for discussions in different sectors of our society. Especially as we approach the Child Protection Week starting on 26 to 30 May.

Following from all the recommendations of these reports, and as a sequel to the 2005 National Conference on Child Pornography, we will be hosting a "National Indaba on preventing the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and combating child pornography". This indaba will coincide with the International Children's Day on 1 June as it takes place from 1 to 2 June at Gallagher Estate in Midrand.

For further information, contact:
Bayanda Mzoneli
Cell: 082 888 8613

Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
13 May 2008
Source: Department of Home Affairs (http://www.home-affairs.gov.za)