The Child Protection Unit (CPU) of the T&T Police Service says it has started an investigation into the online porn ring exposed by one local non-governmental organisation (NGO.)
The member of the NGO who revealed details of a 30-month-long investigation to Guardian Media in an exclusive interview on Thursday, said yesterday the groups have started to “warn” each other to be careful after the story was published.
But she said although these groups were aware their activities were being publicised, they did not seem deterred.
She sent a screenshot of one user saying, “Y’all better watch out. All this telegram trading and sharing of nudes on the papers. And online.”
However, the same user went on to send a message with a photo of a young woman and the caption, “Anything?”
The NGO said all of its evidence against the alleged predators will be handed over to the Child Protection Unit to assist in the investigation. WHen contacted yesterday, CPU head Claire Guy-Alleyne would only confirm an investigation was being started.
As for the allegations that police officers, doctors and engineers were allegedly participating in these groups, TTPS Corporate Communications Manager Joanne Archie said anyone with information of officers breaking the law should make a report.
“Any such allegations made against such officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service would be taken seriously and a thorough investigation would be conducted. Persons with such information are asked to contact the police and share the information so these matters can be investigated,” Archie said.
She said anyone who knowingly makes, permits any child pornography to be made, or copies of, who distributes, publishes, transmits or shows any child pornography commits an offence and on conviction, can be fined $30,000 and jailed for ten years.
Meanwhile, activist Marcus Kissoon, who is a member of the Break the Silence Foundation, said child sexual exploitation is far too prevalent in T&T.
“There is a very specific element that makes this exploitation, which is the exchange and for the sexual benefit for the perpetrator… there is a phenomenon of exploitation taking place amongst children and what we are seeing is that this exploitation is taking the form of what we call child sexual abuse material,” Kissoon said.
He explained that child pornography would be child sexual abuse material.
Kissoon said this type of exploitation of children is not unique to T&T, as first-world countries were also grappling with this issue.
He said these revelations of online pornography rings show the multiple ways in which children can be exploited.
Kissoon had a message for the wider society about this issue - the adults must bear responsibility for exploiting children.
“Some might ask, ‘well why are they sharing their photos in the first place?’ We need to know the responsibility is on the adults, children cannot consent to abuse.”
He said children and teens can also be coerced or forced into sending photos by those in positions of power in their lives.