Amendment of the penal code concerning seduction of minor in the internet enters into force on 8 June 2010. On the same day, the Nobody’s Children Foundation, the Research and Academic Computer Network (NASK) and the Children’s Rights Ombudsman launch a new stage of the campaign “Child in the Net”, called “Every move in the internet leaves tracks behind”. By recalling Ania and Wojtek (characters appearing in the 2004 campaign called “You never know who’s on the other side”) the organisers intend to draw attention of the society both to the problem itself and to the new legislation.
- Changes in the law give us a chance for an effective fight against paedophilia in the network. That is why on the very first day we launch a campaign whose aim is to warn potential offenders that they can neither be anonymous nor go unpunished. We want to make victims aware that the law is on their side and that they can expect help in the case of a danger– says Łukasz Wojtasik from the Nobody’s Children Foundation, a coordinator of the “Child in the Net” campaign.
Scale of this phenomenon is quite worrying. Almost every third day the Helpline.org.pl, whose consultants provide assistance to young net surfers, receives notification concerning an attempt to seduce a child in the net. This is only a top of the iceberg as the statistics include only those persons who are determined enough to look for help.
According to the new regulations, as of 8 June 2010 an attempt alone to seduce in the internet a person below 15 years of age for sexual purposes or to induce such a person to take part in a pornographic production shall be liable to a punishment of up to two years of imprisonment. Abuse of the child’s trust or lack of knowledge for sexual purposes shall be liable to a punishment of up to three years of imprisonment.
- Penalisation of the sexual abuse of children in the internet is one of the means leading to the reduction of the problem. It is also necessary to educate young surfers so that they can avoid seduction attempts and know where and how to get help should such attempts happen– says Anna Rywczyńska from the Research and Academic Computer Network, a co-organiser of the campaign.
The campaign will be visible thanks to the internet, TV, radio, press, poster, cash machine and outdoor messages, inter alia in the subway. The media activities, as in the case of every other campaign, shall be accompanied by educational proposals. As from 8 June 2010, an e-learning course on the net safety will be available at the www.dzieckowsieci.pl website. The course, prepared by the Nobody’s Children Foundation and the Orange foundation, is addressed to parents and professionals working with children.
Organisers: the Nobody’s Children Foundation, the Research and Academic Computer Network, the Children’s Rights Ombudsman
Main partner: the Orange foundation Partners: Arcabit, VA Strategy Communication, WP.pl, Allegro, Ströer, Przyjaznynet.pl, Petrus.pl
Media partners: TVN, TVP, TV4, CHIP, Agora S.A., Polityka, Third Programme of the Polish Radio, Roxy FM, Radio Złote Przeboje, Radio TOK FM, o2.pl, Polish Radio PIK, Polish Radio Rzeszów, Radio Weekend FM
Honorary Patronage: Headquarters of the Police, Office for Electronic Communications, Minister of National Education and the Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment. |
