A MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION

I know I have been accused of being obsessed with one issue throughout my radio and television careers. And I was warned about it when I returned to AW this time. I pointed out ‘What do I do? Say we’ve filled our quota of paedophile stories this month?’ Life’s not like that. I’m not like that.

I believe sex crimes against children, child pornography, the robbing of their childhood innocence, the vile trade in children’s bodies on the Internet – this is the biggest issue facing our world today.

They talk about polluting the environment as a major issue.. Paedophiles pollute our children’s lives.

The sheer enormity of this issue is on the front pages again today with the arrest of 70 Australians in this country’s biggest anti-paedophile investigation. The investigation involved 150,000 downloaders of child porn in 170 countries. And they come from all walks of life. A federal policeman…a primary school teacher.

Among those arrested in Australia were Alan Melchert, a 59-year-old member of the West Australian Sports Federation who is also coach of junior soccer and hockey teams. Steven Ross, aged 30, from Sydney, who is already on parole for child abuse offences. Allegedly found with 8000 child porn images on hard drives and discs.

And, for an insight, think about this for a sick, perverted mind. A primary school teacher allegedly took photos of his own students and transposed their heads on to child abuse victims from abroad. He then transposed a photo of his own head on to the head of their rapist.

He could be teaching your kids. But of course there’s one really comforting thought if you live in Victoria. Thanks to Premier Brumby and Attorney General Hulls. When these child abusers serve their time and get out of jail they can apply for permanent suppression orders to help in their rehabilitation.

So even if they live next door to you, or maybe are accessing a computer in an internet café or a library that your kids visit, you won’t be able to know who they are or what they look like.

Their rehabilitation is far more important than the safety of your kids. And they wonder why several thousand people protested outside Parliament House last Sunday. Why nearly 4000 people from as far away as Istanbul have already signed my petition at namethemshamethem.com demanding that serial rapists and sex offenders against children not have their names or photos suppressed.

So if you think I am like a dog with a bone on this issue Mr. Hulls get used to it. I’m going on leave tomorrow for a couple of weeks  but I’ll be back. On this issue we will not surrender. As I said on the steps of your Parliament – which you forget is OUR parliament – we will maintain the rage.

© Copyright Derryn Hinch 2008