Untitled Document

Pedophilia

Hidden problem

By Kelly Yip

The University of Hong Kong's Dr Gracemary Leung. The real problem is that the problem is hidden.

According to unofficial figures, more than 1,000 products depicting children as pornographic models have been found in Hong Kong, and the forms vary from magazines to VCDs and websites.

Dr. Gracemary Leung, director of the Psychological Services Unit at Hong Kong University, said child pornography is usually made by molesters themselves when they rape children.

This type of child molestation has been reported in the United Kingdom. As for Hong Kong, Dr. Leung said she feels child pornography is serious.

"By my common sense,"she said, "I know the problem exists, only it's not yet disclosed."

A spokeswoman for the Security Bureau seemed surprised by the unofficial data. She explained the inconsistencies in the interpretation of the legal phrase "Pornographic depiction".

According to the Security Bureau, there have been only 38 reported cases of child pornography, with seven people being prosecuted and six convicted from 1996 to 2000.

In medical terms, child molesters are pedophiles. They are not mentally ill, but have abnormal personal development. They view children as love objects, something like toys, not human beings.
One of Dr. Leung's clients said, "Child pornographic pictures are lovely. I like certain shapes of children. They are nice and clean."

Viewers watch pornography of both genders or either one. It is a personal decision, but any combination, like a woman watching girl pornography, is possible.

Dr. Leung stressed that not all viewers are child molesters, but all molesters have watched lots of child pornography.

One of Dr. Leung's clients justified her behavior like this: "I myself have been raped, and I am just watching children's pictures. What's wrong with that?"

Child abuse usually develops as sexual life barriers to victims. Dr. Leung recalled one child victim who just said, "I feel dirty." They blamed adults and themselves. Low self-esteem is the result and victims can hardly cope with life.

"It is not their fault," Dr. Leung said firmly. "It' s the adults' fault. They should not blame themselves."

To counsel child victims, Dr. Leung said this message is important to allay their blame and anxiety. Also, rebuilding self-esteem and restarting a new life are essential.

Mrs. Priscilla Lui Tsang Sun Kai, director of Against Child Abuse, suggusted counseling should extend to family members of child victims because they may feel reluctant to accept a non-virgin child.

She also suggested offering psychological therapy to child molesters.

"Through showing them how harmful is pornography to children and society, they may become less willing to commit such crimes."

Dr. Leung, however, said that there is no permanent cure for pedophilia. Also, most of the molesters keep abusing children.

Another client of hers, a man who raped his step-daughter, said, "Even if I don't make love with her, she will do it with someone else. I am teaching my own child."

According to Dr. Leung, each offender abuses eight victims on average. All psychologists can do is to monitor them.

"It's hard to help molesters. But every time I remind myself, eight children are saved when I counsel one molester."

The most effective solution is to report molesters to authorities. Dr. Leung suggested that children should be taught to report any apparent sexual abuse to a trustworthy person.

People should not be sympathetic toward child molesters even if they are family members or friends.

"Do not give silly reasons. They do not deserve human rights, because they are hurting children seriously," Dr. Leung insisted.

To deal with the whole problem, Mrs Lui said legislation is one important step.

The Prevention of Child Pornography Bill, which was drafted by the Security Bureau, represents an open recognition of child pornography in Hong Kong.

A spokeswoman said the bill protects children through criminalizing the entire chain from production of child pornography to possession.

Mrs. Lui basically agrees with the bill. However, she thought the legal definition of "pornographic depiction" is unclear.

It defines different storage forms and visual depictions "in a sexual maner or context".

However, it does not define what is a sexual manner and context.

"What if a child is depicted as watching sexual intercourse?" Mrs. Lui asked as an example. "While the child does not show any prohibited part, is it child pornography?"

The spokeswoman for the Security Bureau responded that the bill deals little with conceptual matters and depictions other than visual ones.

The bureau has made reference to related legislation in countries like the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

Besides, objective measures can provide a mutual understanding among Hong Kong citizens, in the case of explaining "artistic merit". Experts'advice is included if necessary.

"The law only sets the bottom line of defense," said Mrs. Lui. "We need to educate people more on how to protect children."

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The University of Hong Kong's Dr Gracemary Leung.	The real problem is that the problem is hidden.
According to unofficial figures, more than 1,000 products depicting children as pornographic models have been found in Hong Kong, and the forms vary from magazines to VCDs and websites. Dr. Gracemary Leung, director of the Psychological Services Unit at Hong Kong University, said child pornography is usually made by molesters themselves when they rape children. This type of child molestation has been reported in the United Kingdom. As for Hong Kong, Dr. Leung said she feels child pornography is serious. "By my common sense,"she said, "I know the problem exists, only it's not yet disclosed." A spokeswoman for the Security Bureau seemed surprised by the unofficial data. She explained the inconsistencies in the interpretation of the legal phrase "Pornographic depiction". According to the Security Bureau, there have been only 38 reported cases of child pornography, with seven people being prosecuted and six convicted from 1996 to 2000. In medical terms, child molesters are pedophiles. They are not mentally ill, but have abnormal personal development. They view children as love objects, something like toys, not human beings. One of Dr. Leung's clients said, "Child pornographic pictures are lovely. I like certain shapes of children. They are nice and clean." Viewers watch pornography of both genders or either one. It is a personal decision, but any combination, like a woman watching girl pornography, is possible. Dr. Leung stressed that not all viewers are child molesters, but all molesters have watched lots of child pornography. One of Dr. Leung's clients justified her behavior like this: "I myself have been raped, and I am just watching children's pictures. What's wrong with that?" Child abuse usually develops as sexual life barriers to victims. Dr. Leung recalled one child victim who just said, "I feel dirty." They blamed adults and themselves. Low self-esteem is the result and victims can hardly cope with life. "It is not their fault," Dr. Leung said firmly. "It' s the adults' fault. They should not blame themselves." To counsel child victims, Dr. Leung said this message is important to allay their blame and anxiety. Also, rebuilding self-esteem and restarting a new life are essential. Mrs. Priscilla Lui Tsang Sun Kai, director of Against Child Abuse, suggusted counseling should extend to family members of child victims because they may feel reluctant to accept a non-virgin child. She also suggested offering psychological therapy to child molesters. "Through showing them how harmful is pornography to children and society, they may become less willing to commit such crimes." Dr. Leung, however, said that there is no permanent cure for pedophilia. Also, most of the molesters keep abusing children. Another client of hers, a man who raped his step-daughter, said, "Even if I don't make love with her, she will do it with someone else. I am teaching my own child." According to Dr. Leung, each offender abuses eight victims on average. All psychologists can do is to monitor them. "It's hard to help molesters. But every time I remind myself, eight children are saved when I counsel one molester." The most effective solution is to report molesters to authorities. Dr. Leung suggested that children should be taught to report any apparent sexual abuse to a trustworthy person. People should not be sympathetic toward child molesters even if they are family members or friends. "Do not give silly reasons. They do not deserve human rights, because they are hurting children seriously," Dr. Leung insisted. To deal with the whole problem, Mrs Lui said legislation is one important step. The Prevention of Child Pornography Bill, which was drafted by the Security Bureau, represents an open recognition of child pornography in Hong Kong. A spokeswoman said the bill protects children through criminalizing the entire chain from production of child pornography to possession. Mrs. Lui basically agrees with the bill. However, she thought the legal definition of "pornographic depiction" is unclear. It defines different storage forms and visual depictions "in a sexual maner or context". However, it does not define what is a sexual manner and context. "What if a child is depicted as watching sexual intercourse?" Mrs. Lui asked as an example. "While the child does not show any prohibited part, is it child pornography?" The spokeswoman for the Security Bureau responded that the bill deals little with conceptual matters and depictions other than visual ones. The bureau has made reference to related legislation in countries like the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Besides, objective measures can provide a mutual understanding among Hong Kong citizens, in the case of explaining "artistic merit". Experts'advice is included if necessary. "The law only sets the bottom line of defense," said Mrs. Lui. "We need to educate people more on how to protect children."