ECPAT NZ Every Child’s Right - Freedom from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

JonBenet Ramsey – Lessons for New Zealand

Tuesday 22nd August 2006: The arrest of John Mark Karr in Thailand for his alleged involvement in the murder of JonBenet Ramsey 10 years ago brings to the fore issues of child sexual abuse and exploitation.

This focuses on how child sex predators seek out work with children to gain access to them to perpetrate their crimes. ECPAT New Zealand believes this is not something that just happens in developing countries.

Earlier this month Larry Incledon a Wellington teacher aide was sentenced to six and half years imprisonment for indecently assaulting children and possessing child pornography.

His physical offending actually took place in the school. Jane Foster, National Director of ECPAT New Zealand said; “This is a classic paedophile strategy, to seek out jobs that give you access to children and a position of trust. It’s a lesson we need to learn here in New Zealand.

" All organisations that work with children need rigorous processes for selecting staff and strong child safety policies and practice. We must remember that paedophiles target schools, community groups, sports clubs – places they can get close to children.”

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