The FBI has busted an internet child pornography ring with a nationwide series of arrests. So far 40 people have been arrested and at least another 50 arrests are expected.

http://news.findlaw.com/ap_stories/high_tech/1700/3-19-2002/200203191016526308.html

What is really unsettling are the professions of some of those arrested--law enforcement officers, priests, Little League coaches, school bus drivers, teachers etc.-- people who work around children or who are trusted by them.

Any thoughts on this?

[ 03-19-2002, 03:08 AM: Message edited by: chelseabelle ]

It really doesn't surprise me. I don't think there is any such thing as a safe profession. Many paedophiles are drawn to jobs which bring them closer to children. I coach Rugby to children (up to age 16) and although we all have to get police clearance (i.e. confirmation that we have no criminal record) before we are allowed to do so, who is to know if any of us have paedophile inclinations but haven't yet been caught. I don't profess to have any answers, but how can you legislate for people's innermost thoughts?

The newest reports of child pornography on the web are very disturbing. The list of people is not terribly surprising though; priest, daycare workers and teachers have long been associated in the public’s mind with sexual assault on children.
While reading the article I started thinking of the power angle associated with pedophiles and began to wonder if these people who molest children are committing sexual acts or acts of control and hate. The psychiatric community is always telling us rape is not a sexual crime, but one of anger and domination. What actions could show more anger and need to dominate than watching and participating in child pornography or molesting a child.
I know some people will scream that these investigations are an invasion of privacy, I feel they are needed to protect our children. They are also legal, I believe, because the web is a public forum and open to scrutiny.

What makes me angry is our children are not safe anywhere, school, church,or even a visit to a fire station, and many more places. Don't these priests and pastors have enough work in their parishes that they have time to inflict lifetime pain on children? I guess we wrongfully expect too much from an educated person, and when you see the list of people involved most are well-educated people. Terrorists are not the only threat to us in this country, our children are in physical and emotional danger from pedophiles in their midst. I pray that the people of this country wake up and don't just sit back and say, "well what's a person to do?"

This particular topic disturbs me very much. I get RAGE...then sad...
Pedophiles often, on documentaries...actually profess the proclivity as an act of "love"...it's so sick.
I suppose it's because I can "understand" to a certain extent....manslaughter, robbery, embezzlement, things like that...don't condone...just can "make sense" of the perpetrator...but this crime just leaves me so bereft of.....understanding...oh, God.
I find I cannot listen to much more than the headline..then I have to switch it off. I am a very broadminded and "non-shockable" type, for the most part...but this just goes beyond me.
I am glad so many were arrested. You know...for every two or three offences one would be charged with, there are always so many, many more. So sad.