Counter Pedophilia Investigate Unit

State police say child predators are using internet games to stalk your child.

Many children these days are using an Xbox, PlayStation, or computer to play games with strangers.

Police say predators are aware of this and have moved from the chat rooms to the gaming rooms to establish relationships with kids.

They say the predator will offer praise and tips to the gamer to win approval from the child and the relationship escalates from there.

Police say if there is wireless internet in your home, put a password on it so that your kids can’t get online to chat without you knowing about it.

Authorities also suggest putting passwords on your child’s hand-held gaming consoles like the PSP, iPod Touch and Nintendo DS. All have wi-fi connections.

Source: Wilx.com

By STABROEK STAFF
Dear Editor,

2011 has started very badly for women and children in Guyana. Two women have already been murdered by their male partners; another woman lies in hospital seriously injured from multiple stab wounds inflicted by her partner; an 11-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a police officer at the BV police station; a 9-year-old boy committed suicide; a male and female student from one of the most prestigious schools in Guyana were filmed having oral and penetrative sex; a teacher has been charged for sexually assaulting female secondary school students. And these are only the cases that have been reported in the media. We are less than two months into a new year and it already seems as though domestic violence, gender-based violence and child abuse are set to continue unabated.

It is alarming to read in SN of February 17 that according to Vanessa Francis, repeated reports of domestic violence, including serious threats from her former reputed husband to the Cove & John police station, never resulted in arrests or charges being laid. The Commander, officer in charge of Cove & John and the Commissioner of Police must explain what investigation was done and why this attempted murderer was not charged and placed before the court. (more…)

Meldpunt Kinderporno (Child Pornography Hotline) said on Monday it received 327 reports via the children’s website Helpwanted.nl last year, nearly twice as many as in 2009. Most of the reports were about incidents involving a webcam. The number of reports about bullying also increased.

The Meldpunt launched its website Helpwanted.nl nearly four years ago. Young people can report cases of sexual abuse there. In an attempt to lower the threshold, Meldpunt Kinderporno last year initiated chat sessions with young people. The sessions are intended to make young people more aware of the dangers they are exposed to when online. This year, Meldpunt wants to increase the number of chat sessions.

Source: Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Cyberbullying is just what it sounds like — bullying through Internet applications and technologies such as instant messaging (IM), social networking sites and cell phones. It can start easily — with a rumor, a photo or a forwarded message — and just as easily spiral out of control. An embarrassing video posted to a social networking site by someone in Kansas tonight may be watched by someone in Japan tomorrow. Cyberbullying victims may be targeted anywhere, at any time. Common forms of cyberbullying:

• Flaming and Trolling — sending or posting hostile messages intended to “inflame” the emotions of others

• Happy-Slapping — recording someone being harassed or bullied in a way that usually involves physical abuse, then posting the video online for public viewing

• Identity Theft/Impersonation — stealing someone’s password and/or hijacking their online accounts to send or post incriminating or humiliating pictures, videos, or information

• Photoshopping — doctoring digital images so that the main subject is placed in a compromising or embarrassing situation

• Physical Threats — sending messages that involve threats to a person’s physical safety

• Rumor Spreading — spreading gossip through e-mail, text messaging, or social networking sites (more…)

Authorities say most don’t know consequences of their actions.

By DIANE DANIELS
WSBT-TV Reporter

About 75 percent of teens now own cell phones, and most of those phones have texting and camera capabilities.

That creates the perfect storm for a surge in teen text messages containing sexually explicit images.

But it’s becoming increasingly apparent to Michiana authorities that most teens don’t know the consequences of sexting, and many parents may not be aware of the dangers when they put that phone in their child’s hand.

This year started with a Grissom Middle School in Mishawaka making sexting headlines. Now St. Joseph County Prosecutor Mike Dvorak is involved in that case. In fact, he says his office is investigating more than 20 kids at three different area schools all accused of potentially being caught up in sexting.

“You’re seeing a greater report of these incidents of children actually producing porn of themselves or friends and transmitting it to others,” Dvorak said. “What they don’t realize is they’re putting themselves at danger. For a child to take a sexually explicit picture of themselves is illegal. Now we have children as a lark or a gag taking pictures and sending them to friends and they can be placed into the commerce of child pornography,” Dvorak said. (more…)

A father who lost his son to suicide joined local lawmakers Monday as they announced new legislation to strengthen and broaden bullying policies in Pennsylvania.

http://www.univision.com/uv/video/Anti-Bullying-Legislation-Announced-At-P/id/2147329731

Glenda Hatchett, host of “Judge Hatchett,” talks about ways to handle bullying.

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/living/2010/04/03/nr.holmes.hatchett.bullying.cnn

By Connie Agius

Children who have been bullied tend to carry their battle scars throughout adulthood and become bullies themselves.

That is what a Wesley Mission report, Give Kids A Chance: No-one Deserves To Be Left Out, has found.

The organisation is calling on the Australian community and governments to put a stop to bullying.

The research found seven out of 10 adults have been affected by school bullying.

Wesley Mission CEO Keith Garner says the impacts of bullying flow into daily life.

(more…)