9 February 2005

Agency Emphasises Need For Child Protection Measures

In the High Court in Auckland on Tuesday 8th February, two former Auckland Scout leaders Andrew John Pybus (32) and Nigel Richard Fenemor (48) were sentenced to seven years gaol for sexually abusing young boys. The accused had more than 60,000 still images and movies of child abuse images.

ECPAT NZ Director, Alan Bell expressed his concern at the unacceptable behaviour of these men and commended the Scouting movement for taking action to prevent future such offences. The trust placed in persons working with young people has been eroded by the actions of these men and all organisations involving young people need to be aware of the risks and build in appropriate child protection measures.

The consequence for the victims and their families are serious and lifelong. The fact that digital images were made can result in ongoing stress and anxiety as there can be no guarantees as to where and when these images might be distributed.

ECPAT is determined to support the bringing to justice of offenders like these and also to assist organisations to take adequate protective measures so that children are not subjected to this disgusting behaviour that scars their life forever.

ENDS

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