Rabbit Proof Farce/Firewall: Krudd diverts child protection funds to net censorship
Mon, Jan 26, 2009 by Claire Connelly
A few months ago, in relation to the internet censorship issue, I suggested that if the government were really interested in child protection they would reform DOCS and other child protection agencies in Australia to actually make them capable of protecting children.
As Krudd dis-empowers child protection agencies nationwide, diverting their much needed funds to internet censorship, the truth is far more disturbing than I could have possibly imagined.
The Australian Federal Police Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team (OCSET) has lost $2.8 million of its budget to the “Rabbit Proof Firewall.”
Though some may argue that $2.8 million is a small sum, with a yearly budget of only $7.5 million, the loss is significant.
OCSET is losing exactly one third of their annual budget to The Great Australian Firewall, get this – in the name of child protection.
The irony is both rife and disturbing.
Even before this budget cut, a meager $7.5 million a year in funding is appalling; it is yet another clear indication of how seriously the Krudd government takes child protection.
Without those essential funds, OCSET simply will not have enough staff to investigate the pedophiles they already know about, let alone the ones that haven’t been caught yet.
While some cases will be palmed off to the US (whose authorities do not have the same training and experience as OCSET, let alone jurisdiction), “only half are likely to be investigated by child protection police,” reported the Daily Telegraph, “the rest will be farmed out to local commands or dropped.”
So let me get this straight, in the name of child protection, Krudd has created a situation where pedophiles can get away with known crimes because the funds that were dedicated to pursuing them has been spent on internet censorship?
This scheme is an absolute farce.
Minister for Broadband, Communications, and the Digital Economy – Stephen Conroy, the same guy who emphasized that a high speed network is essential for a competitive economy, (ABC Insiders 10 June 2007), is now taking money away from child protection organisations to fund a firewall that that won’t work and will also slow broadband networks by up to 87%.
This is absolutely unforgivable.
This gross misallocation of funds will only serve to further endanger the lives of children both on and offline.
Wouldn’t the real objectives of child protection be better achieved by reallocating the $44 million for the Rabbit Proof Farce/Firewall to OCSET?
Imagine what good child protection agencies could do if our government actually took child protection seriously.
Why is the Australian public allowing this to happen?
Author and Professor of Sociology Barry Glassner believes it is being caused by what he calls “the fear industrial complex.”
“The fear industrial complex is composed of politicians, activist groups and corporations that all sell us on the idea that they can provide safety from the very dangers they are scaring us about,” says Glassner.
“Whenever somebody’s trying to scare us, the question to ask is ‘are they benefiting from it, and in what way?’”
The US Internet Safety Technical Task Force released a report which discovered that the internet does not significantly increase the risk of exposure to child sexual abuse.
The panel of researchers included leading internet experts, internet service providers, technology development experts, social networking sites, academia, education, and child safety and public policy advocacy organizations, and was organised by 50 state Attorneys General to tackle the problem of children being solicited for sex online.
The report revealed that though the internet increases the availability of harmful, problematic , and illegal content, it does not necessarily increase minors’ exposure.
It showed that the incidences of unwanted exposure to pornography are minimal and those most likely to be exposed are those that are seeking it out, such as older male minors.
The New York Times reported that “in the cases that do exist, the report said, teenagers are typically willing participants and are already at risk because of poor home environments, substance abuse or other problems.”
Colin Jacobs from Electronic Frontiers Australia went through the report in detail and agrees that “filtering won’t deliver for Aussie kids:”
“The research shows that the dangers of online activity are grossly exaggerated,” says Jacobs.
“Where risks do exist, they stem from interactions with other people, not from exposure to unwanted web pages.
An automated filter, no matter how expensive, cannot help mitigate these risks, only education and supervision will do.”
It revealed that the internet has facilitated and led to the increase of both on and offline bullying, which poses a far more serious challenge than the sexual solicitation of minors by adults.
From this we can only conclude that the Krudd Government’s plan for internet censorship has little to do with child protection and everything to do with limiting free speech.
If the Krudd government were really serious about protecting children from sexual abuse, they wouldn’t be taking urgently needed funds away from the very people who are employed to prevent it.
Hi from spain, good review. I will come back more often to see what’s new.
Much obliged black cul, much obliged.
Considerably, the post is really the best on this notable topic. I agree with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your forthcoming updates. Just saying thanks will not just be adequate, for the wonderful lucidity in your writing. I will immediately grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. Good work and much success in your business efforts!
Hello, first I want to say nice blog. I don?t always agree with your opinion but it?s always a interesting read.
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.
Really appreciate the feedback. It’s great to hear from readers, especially when it’s positive feedback. I hope to have something new every couple of days but as you can see, it’s not always the case. A new one went up last night. We appreciate your support. Keep on truckin’!
Nice blog. I got a lot of good information. I’ve been keeping an eye on this technology for awhile. It’s intriguing how it keeps changing, yet some of the core elements remain the same. Have you seen much change since Google made their latest acquisition in the domain?
Hi, nice day! Your content is incredibly impressive. I never considered that it was feasible to carry out something like that until after I checked out your post. You certainly gave an incredible perception on exactly how this kind of whole system functions. I will always return for more advice. Keep writing!
I know this might not be the most appropriate place to post this but for other readers living in the USA are you concerned about the debt? It just seems like it is getting to the point where the country is going to go bankrupt and my husband and I are just a little concerned that our kids and grandkids are going to have some big problems in a few years. Thanks for letting me vent, Sara
Vent away Sarah, you’ve come to the right place. Like most other Australians whose government is spending more borrowed money than they can afford to pay back – we repress our fears, close our eyes and dream of Disneyland.
How does your pension work in the US? We have a steadily decreasing asset called superannuation, which is kind of like a pension but different.
You created an excellent position with what you said. A great number of people ought to read your post to allow them to have a far better viewpoint about this topic. It was fantastic of you to provide fine details and supporting arguments. After reading this, I know my mind is extremely clear about the issue. Continue the truly amazing work!
I was reading something else about this on another blog. Interesting. Your perspective on it is diametrically opposed to what I read before. I am still mulling over the different points of view, but I’m tipped heavily toward yours. And no matter, that’s what is so great about contemporary democracy and the marketplace of thoughts online.
Thanks for the lovely feedback, and for your support. Feel free to come back and let us know your position in the comments section.
When I came upon this post I felt a deep down need to kick myself in the face to make sure I wasn?t dreaming. I got out of my chair and walked around my workplace with a big smile on my face. I was in such a fantastic mood that I asked out this girl from the espresso bar that I have been in love with forever. Posts like this punch all others straight in the junk.
You made numerous nice ideas there. I done a search on the issue and learnt nearly all peoples will agree with your blog.
I just wanted to take a second and let you know that I’ve been enjoying reading your posts over the last few months. I have a blog of my own, and would love to switch links with you if you’re interested. You can check out my blog at Email Address Lookup.
Hi there! I found your blog via Google while searching about retirement.And your post looks very interesting and informative to me.
There is obviously a lot to know about this. I think you made some good in Features also.Keep working, great job!
This is a really good read for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.