I wasn't going to comment here having said all I wanted to say in Vanilla's thread, but it can be real hard for me to keep quiet!

Fractelle, excellent post.

I hadn't heard of Henson before. Now I have. I watched the ABC report and did a bit of my own research on his work.

His works are beautiful. The works on the girl AND boy.

Much too much focus is being put on the young girl by the media, which I find disgusting. Boys are vulnerable to peadophiles. Why the wowsers on this forum are not upset about him posing nude I find most curious and glaringly inconsistent.

As a mother of boys and a girl, all past the age of the two models, I was very moved. My sons are now grown, muscular men. My daughter a young woman. It all went so quickly. That transition from child to adult. And if I had had the chance of somebody with the eye and ability of Henson photograph my children at that point, yes I would have and I would cherish them.

For a parent it is at that time the realization comes that soon your time as the most significant person in your child's life will be over.

Child abuse, sexual and otherwise, is the most shameful aspect of any community. How can this happen and what is our collective responsibility?

Comparing openly created artwork with the horrendous fact of child pornography, might make some feel self satisfied that something that could be used evilly has been exposed, but the fact is that is has not. There is no comparison. This is true for works on children and adults.

Peadophiles do not go to art galleries to act on their urges. They are in the most mundane day to day positions in the lives of our children. They are grandfathers, fathers, step-fathers, teachers and others with significant roles in our children's lives.

Lev, your post was humbling to us who have no personal experience. You honour us in sharing with us your opinion.

Of course we should not allow anyone freedom of expression that might cause harm to children, particularly given that the subjects cannot knowingly consent to partaking nor can anyone reasonably consent on their behalf. Sadly though, the current debate on Bill Henson's 'art' yet again perpetuates the myth that child abuse lurks in the domain of the other. The fact is that the vast majority of child abuse occurs in the context of the family home, by first order family members. Moreover, the emphasis on child sexual abuse belies the reality that physical and emotional abuse is no less harmful. Many advocates against child abuse come from a strident Christian fundamentalist bent, with the misplaced belief that safety resides within the traditional family. Alas, it is within closed settings, most especially the traditional family, in which child abuse flourishes. The solutions to this most sinister of social problems will not be easy, but a good start might be to ban parents from hitting their children, as well as developing evidence-based community education programs on the impact that physical, emotional and sexual abuse has on children.

"Of course Ginx has the right to hold whatever opinions she likes, and to express them. However, I have to say that her comments on this topic, over several threads, are among the more hysterical I've read here. No reasoned argument, just impassioned assertion with lots of capitalisation.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this issue, if that's possible.

<< It is noticeable that those who opposed Hensonart, are largely missing from this thread. >>

I imagine that the more reasonable wowsers are probably a little bit embarrassed at having so easily led into what is obviously a 'moral panic',....."(CJM)
________

Which is exactly what I said.

Now its my turn!

You of course CJ are so smugly assured of your own position that you talk ABOUT me, (ooohhhh! capitals!!).

I am (of course, what else?), 'hysterical/no reasoned argument/impassioned assertion..etc.,
And your 'wowsers' are now sub-categorised into 'reasonable', and those that are not impressed by your condescension;= 'unreasonable wowsers'??

And all because they have the brass necked temerity to disagree with you!

_______________

I have had reason this week to...-shall we say 'interview' a repugnant and sexually rapacious so-called human-being, who has invoked a defence of his behaviour as 'loving and artistic;-he referred to Henson.

This was inevitable. I am not alone in expecting this to happen. And it will continue. Now we will debate in that place..well you know what we will now debate! It will extend this matter whilst a young victim slowly goes to pieces.

Is that Hensons fault? YES! It is the inevitable rationale that will spawn from Henson type art.

NOW;- you liberated souls can wax lyrical about freedom of speech/expression etc., and prattle on about how wrong I am.

ME?,-I will be somewhere else dealing with the realities of such 'freedom of expression'

It is with some intrigue I have read on this site that those Henson supporters are arguing that their views have been vindicated by the finding of the DPP's office. Yet I believe the DPP's reason for not pursuing and taking it to its logical conclusion was that there appeared little success in getting a conviction. Nothing else. Which simply means that the laws need to be looked at in more detail and changed if necessary to widen the scope of what actually constitutes child abuse, in this case particularly using a minor for one's own nefarious purpose. I imagine, and hope, this is what will now happen and that Bravehearts will concentrate on looking at the laws. Much of child abuse involves, and starts with, the desire to see children's bodies, disguised of course under a number of other 'rational' reasons. My full support to you and your very worthwhile group and my best wishes to the damaged children you are helping, Ms Johnston.

I wasn't going to comment here either, having explained my views JUST A TAD on other threads. But I wanted to thank Lev for his excellent, intelligent and moving post, and also Yvonne for another great post.

The hope is that Australia is becoming a more mature place.

I had forgotten Lev's post, being 'out of the loop' for a few days, but having been reminded, wish to add my thanks for such an open and honest post. It cannot have been easy to write, as it was so painful to read.

Thank you Lev.

This was indeed a debate we had to have, perhaps, now we can move on and prosecute the real paedophiles in our midst. And they aren't lurking in art galleries, chances are we are in contact with one everyday.