Trident--May I make a suggestion. I have been researching the CRIME of child
ever since my children were raped and photographed. They were told their pictures were for the computer and they disclosed those words to LE. Each was disabled and between the ages of 6-12. The FBI had us provide them with a school photo of each child, several candid full-body shots of each as well as photos of our yard, patio, and play structure.
I don't think it is a stretch to think that it is possible that my children's photos are out there somewhere, lost in the "sea" of vile photos. When our trial was over, with 12 convictions, I bought a computer and started searching. I never purposely attempted to open child
...EVER. However, in researching the subject, I started getting as many as 100 unsolicited emails per day which, when opened, exposed the most vile child abuse. The first time it happened, I actually threw a kitchen towel over my computer screen and called police. It was the first time I'd ever seen child
. Trust me, it is forever ingrained in my mind. The
on my computer did depict Level 4 photos--clearly depicting the penetration of toddlers by adult men. I cleared the children out of the house. I remember feeling horribly sick.
I remember three detectives and the chief of police standing in my home office and commenting that they'd never seen such "graphic
". One detective directed me to forward it all the the local PD. Later, I was told to start forwarding everything that came in to an agent at the Portland FBI office. This went on for about 5 years. I've had my computer repaired a number of times and never had a problem. If I did, I have proof that I was vigilant about forwarding everything.
Recently, while researching something on the William Ayres thread, I came upon some child
simply by clicking a button that said "free vintage knitting pattern". I'm a knitter and was confused as to why this button would show up on a adult services site. Could it be because I spend hours each day reading about knitting and purchase yarn and patterns on the internet? Or was it just a fluke? Well, the free pattern didn't exist but some nasty
involving young children suddenly popped up. While I had it open, I picked up the phone and called a detective who immediately directed me to the local High Tech Crimes Unit. I forwarded him the links and all the emails I've received since, involving fishy sounding titles like these--"free knitting patterns for kiddies" or "Opa's favorite patterns for babies". They all have addresses which I've never seen before. I don't open them but even if I did, I feel comfortable that LE knows what I'm doing.
Don't ever be afraid to call LE and let them know you've stumbled onto something. As the agent told me, time is of the essence as most sites open and close quickly as they are merely portals. Who knows what quick action might do. It might save one child from abuse.
And Belinda, I do agree with you concerning the apparent laxity of UK sentencing. We might not have the full picture but I've been appalled at the "safe houses" and the changed identities to protect the convicted. This crime is of global proportions and it seems that the wealthiest and most powerful men are, time and again, being caught. It shocks me to my toes when judges release those who are awaiting sentences or even awaiting appeal (such as in Portugal). We know that pedophiles do not suddenly develop a "curiosity" in middle age or naively download child
while doing research. Many of the men, like Mr. Pettican, are extremely intelligent and well-traveled. They know exactly what they are doing. They just got caught. Now it's time for the people of the UK to call for an appropriate sentence.
JohnnyCashFan--Please accept the fact that I take the crime of child
very seriously and extremely personally. The crime of child sexual abuse has forever changed the course of my life....and that of my children's lives.
