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The Forum > Article Comments > A debate we had to have > Comments

A debate we had to have : Comments

By Hetty Johnston, published 6/6/2008

As a society we simply can not legitimise the sexual portrayal of children in the name of art or anything else.

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Nice one, Pericles :)

Also from ABC News, but just in:

<< No Case Against Henson: Prosecutors

Photographer Bill Henson will not face charges over photographs of a naked 13-year-old girl that sparked a political furore. >>

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/06/2267360.htm

Could the wowsers and hysterics get down from their soapboxes now?
Posted by CJ Morgan, Friday, 6 June 2008 4:12:40 PM
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Hello Hetty,

I'm utterly disillusioned with the discovery that you've accepted money from the porn industry in an attempt to promote your own political ambitions.

The connection between porn and abuse is a well studied phenomenon. An overwhelming percentage of porn 'actresses' were victims of child sexual abuse, and the subsequent hyper-sexualisation led them porn. It then follows that their involvement in porn is nothing more than a continuation of the original abuse.

Your unsophisticated and clumsy effort following the the Henson furore is further evidence to me that you are nothing more than a populist self-serving person, whose obvious interest is child sexual abuse is secondary to your own ambition.

You've tainting Bravehearts, and I think You must now do the right thing and step down before you further damage and discredit those genuinely interested in the prevention of child sexual abuse.
Posted by drumcounsellor, Friday, 6 June 2008 4:39:54 PM
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I heard the police have dropped charges on henson on advise of nsw public prosecutor...now all we need is the public release of official report of who made the decision and why, and if it complies with good administration practices...eg at Australian government solicitors good decisions site http://www.ags.gov.au/publications/issues/gooddecisions.htm

so what we need is the information looked at, eg if child in question assessed by suitable counselor and their report examined by proper expert authorities for stress, trauma and forced behaviour, before, while and after painting etc and if patents obtained money, influenced child since etc, and how it was determined when a matter is 'art' and when 'pornography etc and if anyone is going to 'review' the decision or should a group of concerned public take a court challenge etc...

After getting all this information...then we the 'informed public' can individually decide if we agree or not...and if majority disagree then how to get the decision 'overturned'...I know...this is proper democracy and we are no where near it at the moment...but at least we can push in the right direction cant we...

Sam
Ps~child in vulnerable, limited in terms of acting in their own interests, and ease with which they can become permanently traumatized psychologically...naked pictures of a child is a no no...no matter the reason or how reasonable it may 'appear'...
Posted by Sam said, Friday, 6 June 2008 6:11:47 PM
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It is amazing that this person was attempting to live off the breast of the taxpayers contributions.

"About 20 per cent of the population were sexually assaulted in some way before their 18th birthday, boys and girls, rich and poor, from the city, the country and the outback. Child sexual assault is not discriminatory.

Most offences (85 per cent or more) will be perpetrated by someone the child and family know and trust. Our research and our own statistics tell us that less than 30 per cent of offenders actually live in the home with the child but are more likely to be relatives, friends, neighbours, baby sitters or other adults who have won the trust of the child’s parent(s) in order to gain access to the child. It is an insidious crime."
Big Deal- theft and murder have been crimes since time immemorial but that has not stopped that happening even this very day so what will two hundred pages of laws passed by our "representatives" make much difference in promoting "child protection".
Posted by Vioetbou, Friday, 6 June 2008 7:20:38 PM
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I heard the police have dropped charges on henson on advise of nsw public prosecutor...now all we need is the public release of official report of who made the decision and why, and if it complies with good administration practices...eg at Australian government solicitors good decisions site http://www.ags.gov.au/publications/issues/gooddecisions.htm

so what we need is the information looked at, eg if child in question assessed by suitable counselor and their report examined by proper expert authorities for stress, trauma and forced behaviour, before, while and after painting etc and if patents obtained money, influenced child since etc, and how it was determined when a matter is 'art' and when 'pornography etc and if anyone is going to 'review' the decision or should a group of concerned public take a court challenge etc...

After getting all this information...then we the 'informed public' can individually decide if we agree or not...and if majority disagree then how to get the decision 'overturned'...I know...this is proper democracy and we are no where near it at the moment...but at least we can push in the right direction cant we...

Sam
Ps~child IS vulnerable, limited in terms of acting in their own interests, and ease with which they can become permanently traumatized psychologically...naked pictures of a child is a no no...no matter the reason or how reasonable it may 'appear'...
Posted by Sam said, Friday, 6 June 2008 7:40:32 PM
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Seems to me that Hetty Johnson makes a number of arguments that are worth debating.

(1) "These child models can not give “consent” under the law. That the parent(s) made the decision to “consent” for them or even with them, is a moot point."
If an activitity is legal (as police, OFLC etc have found) clearly the parent CAN give consent. It is not up to Hetty Johnson to decide for them.

(2) "Under the law as it stands, photos taken of children in a “sexual context” are classed as child pornography, are illegal and with some exceptions, are actionable by law."
The wallopers have spoken on this issue. Case closed.

(3) "Did he do the work to achieve economic gain and notoriety by taking nude photos of children to satisfy his own purpose, despite the public benefit and the law?"
There may be an element of truth here in relation to public benefit, but the law is clearly not at issue (despite Hetty's beliefs).

(4) "That money was paid for the use of these children in the taking of these naked photos, which are then to be sold, makes it a case of sexual commercial exploitation."
Well, obviously not, at least according to the OFLC and state and fed police.

(5) "We do not believe that any adult should be free to usurp child protection laws for their own personal satisfaction - be it artistic, monetary or sexual."
So, no more kids on TV, in advertisements, performing on stage (for money), under-18 sports teams (if anybody is paid) etc etc.

(6) "The artistic pursuit of personal emotion, curiosity or expression cannot be sanctioned where this pursuit violates existing human rights and betrays the same laws by which the rest of society lives."
I'm sorry, but does anyone find this a trifle paranoid?

(7) "What of the pedophiles who are watching this with great interest?"
While the Henson bandwagon has rolled on, we have seen the arrest of dozens over child-porn (and sexual assault charges) in the last few days. Has Hetty taken her eye off the ball.
Posted by Johnj, Friday, 6 June 2008 7:58:11 PM
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