Thailand Launches An Initiative To Tackle Convicted Travelling U K Child Molesters

[webfact]

Thailand launch of new international initiative to tackle convicted travelling child molesters from the UK

BANGKOK: A new international initiative to prevent UK sexual offenders travelling to other countries and gaining access to children through teaching or volunteering roles will see its launch in Thailand on the 5th March 2013.

Specialist child protection workers and law enforcement officers working to tackle sexual abuse will be attending a two-day Regional Advisory Panel workshop hosted by the UK’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre and the British Embassy, which will include the launch of the International Child Protection Certificate.

CEOP’s International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) is a new police check for UK nationals who are travelling and working overseas and will help identify and screen out those who are unsuitable to be working with children. CEOP has found that some international schools, charities and other agencies overseas do not currently have access to the same level of police checks available to organisations in the UK, sometimes enabling sex offenders to gain positions of trust with children.

CEOP is the UK’s national law enforcement agency dedicated to protecting children from abuse. The certificate has been designed to help prevent known child sex offenders from gaining inappropriate roles in other countries.

The regional advisory panel workshop highlights the continuation of the work of CEOP’s International Child Protection Network (ICPN) and is supported by funding from the British Embassy Bangkok. Through collaboration and partnerships with national and international law enforcement agencies, non-government organisations (NGOs), industry and governments, the CEOP Centre is successfully stopping the activities of would be sex offenders travelling to Thailand , as well as raising awareness among young people about the risks these individuals pose.

The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand made a commitment to play its part in tackling the exploitation of children by signing a Memorandum of Understanding in March 2010 with CEOP. Since then, many companies with interests in Thailand have signed an International Corporate Child Protection Charter to promote child protection through their workforce.

Signatories so far include the Property Care Services (PCS), GlaxoSmithKline (Thailand) Ltd, HSBC, British Airways, the Shell Company of Thailand Ltd, Manpower, Grand Hyatt, Standard Chartered Bank (Thailand), Mackenzie Smith. The full list is available on the BCCT website.

Peter Davies, Chief Executive of CEOP: “There is clear evidence to suggest that serious sex offenders who are known to authorities in the UK will often seek out opportunities to work or volunteer abroad. In many instances this will be through teaching roles but could equally be through other occupations such as a charity worker, an orphanage worker or as a children’s home worker. The International Child Protection Certificate is intended to be a world-wide safeguard which will give employers and voluntary organisations reassurance that applicants have no convictions in the UK which would make them unsuitable to work with children.

“It’s the only UK police check for UK nationals and residents working overseas for some organisations overseas so it’s an essential pre-employment or placement check to protect children.”

Mark Kent, British Ambassador to Thailand said, “The promotion and protection of human rights is at the heart of UK foreign policy. The British Embassy in Thailand has worked together with the CEOP to protect children from abuse, to take action to deter travelling sex offenders and to contribute to the development of the International Child Protection Network (ICPN). We also cooperate with CEOP to identify potential child sex offenders and implement intervention activity at the UK border as appropriate and develop awareness campaigns around child protection and trafficking from Thailand. The International Child Protection Certificate is part of a programme of ongoing collaboration to strengthen child protection in both our countries. “

“We believe that our responsibility to protect children from abuse does not stop at the borders of the United Kingdom. Safety and child protection is fundamental to this collaboration. We want to ensure that we do everything that we can so the children study in the safest environment.”

Greg Watkins, Executive Director of British Chamber of Commerce Thailand continues: “BCCT recognises that companies can play a key role in child protection by promoting awareness among their employees and customers and by educating the communities in which they operate. The International Child Protection Certificate will give companies and organisations such as international schools a means to check that possible future employees have no relevant convictions in the UK.”

Source: http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=PressR&id=860974682

-- UK in Thailand 2013-03-06

[Thai at Heart]

Oooooh.

There are going to be a few nervous twitches over this article.

[Thaddeus]

The headline is a little confusing, as usual, this initiative was started by the CEOP in the UK in 2006.

"It's taken over 6 years, but Thailand has decided to follow international guidelines in full"

That's better.

[JohannaScott]

So, all the Paedo's from other countries are all safe then to do what they want with the kids!

[belg]

mandatory finger prints taken and hopefully connected to an international criminal database, there would be a technology put to good use

hell, why not take fingerprints of all people around the world travelling or at least where in contact with the law ?

[OzMick]

Hmmmm, as it seems common for paedophiles from wealthier countries to travel to poorer countries with less restrictive environments, and if those wealthier countries are serious about tackling this crime, why don't they make part of the punishment loss of passport, either permanently or for a set period?

Edited March 6, 2013 by OzMick

[jamhar]

I guess if you're not from the UK, you're fine?

OK let me beat my cynical side down,

and say GREAT first step!

Edited March 6, 2013 by jamhar

[Payboy]

Brit kiddy-fiddlers - Check

Great white sharks - Check

Elephant sharks - Check

At this rate they should be able to cover pedophiles from other countries and all other things that matter..........by 3013.

[Suradit69]

So, all the Paedo's from other countries are all safe then to do what they want with the kids!

Since the organizations involved are British, their targets would be citizens of the UK, presumably.

Advisory Panel workshop hosted by the UK’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre and the British Embassy

It seems we have seen news items on the outreach of child protection authorities in the US and Australia in the not too distant past. The US does prosecute child molesters in which ever country they commit their crimes and I think something similar is true in Australia.

[circusman]

By the way, your avatar is quite offputting under these circumstances don't you think. Maybe a good time for a quick change? Just saying.

Brit kiddy-fiddlers - Check

Great white sharks - Check

Elephant sharks - Check

At this rate they should be able to cover pedophiles from other countries and all other things that matter..........by 3013.

[BKKBrit]

Oooooh.

There are going to be a few nervous twitches over this article.

And I hope more snapping of suitcase locks as they head for the airport...

[RamblingSam]

No, not American football with all that protective gear... British Rugby tackles much 'better', players are only allowed to come off the pitch when serious damage has been done! Seriously though, this'type' of person will try any trick 'get their kicks', so Thai agencies being able to get checks done this way, means they have access to reliable, high-quality info, which sex offenders can't argue about. International agreements take time to ratify, but thank the Gods that things are at long last being done about this!

[SOTIRIOS]

..with thousands of hookers....purse snatchers....money lenders.and drug and people traffickers.....

.molesters and rapists of their own......not to mention myriad other criminals and swindlers......

.....why not 'clean up shop' at home first..........

(......or are there no Thai criminal.........)

.....selective justice.......selective morality..........

[Payboy]

By the way, your avatar is quite offputting under these circumstances don't you think. Maybe a good time for a quick change? Just saying.Brit kiddy-fiddlers - CheckGreat white sharks - CheckElephant sharks - Check At this rate they should be able to cover pedophiles from other countries and all other things that matter..........by 3013.

Why?

[RuskiCat]

..with thousands of hookers....purse snatchers....money lenders.and drug and people traffickers.....

.molesters and rapists of their own......not to mention myriad other criminals and swindlers......

.....why not 'clean up shop' at home first..........

(......or are there no Thai criminal.........)

.....selective justice.......selective morality..........

hmmmmm damn those Russians! Ban their visas!!! Oh wait wrong article.

But on a serious note.

I am sure they are aware of all the immorals on their end.

I think they are doing a decent job at cracking down on Thai nationals also because there are quite a few articles on Thai men being arrested for molsting children.

I see child molestation a far more heinous crime than scamming or prostitution. Raping a child is far more traumatic to the victim than being ripped off for money. Hookers, are only dangerous as far as getting STD and since I never tried their service do not pose a threat to me, so their presence is rather innocuous.

[youngXpat]

Circus man said, ' By the way, your avatar is quite off putting under these circumstances don't you think. Maybe a good time for a quick change? Just saying.'

Maybe he's just a rotten, grimy, smelly old man.

[newermonkey]

So, all the Paedo's from other countries are all safe then to do what they want with the kids!

I guess so, if thats what the kid wants and the Farang has the right certificate if he is from the UK. What is your point?

Edited March 6, 2013 by newermonkey

[Payboy]

Circus man said, ' By the way, your avatar is quite off putting under these circumstances don't you think. Maybe a good time for a quick change? Just saying.'

Maybe he's just a rotten, grimy, smelly old man.

Actually, my avatar is just a public service to allow those less fortunate in life to feel superior.

[VBF]

mandatory finger prints taken and hopefully connected to an international criminal database, there would be a technology put to good use

hell, why not take fingerprints of all people around the world travelling or at least where in contact with the law ?

Cambodia does that when you arrive at Phnom Penh airport as well as photographs.

Quite impressed actually.

[MaxLee]

So if a Farang is guilty of child molesting, it's a big news in Thailand and a threat of losing FACE,...

...So what about the child molesters and torturers of that Karen girl from almost a month ago? Anyone? Has it all been forgotten for the sake of the new scapegoat?

They're gonna make up some new law to punish "International Law", but forget about the domestic crimes, and rug those under the table

Oh sure, the police has put an arrest warrant for a 100,000 Baht, or whatever not, and rest their case, and now all of a sudden, it's the Farang that is big news and should be punished like hell... while the guilty couple molester torturers from Kamphaeng pet fled all over the place out of Thailand, until their case has long been forgotten...

[jonclark]

Wonder how long it will be before the ICPC document becomes mandatory for all British nationals wanting to work in schools as English teacher, before work permit etc its issued.

[Tboy928]

mandatory finger prints taken and hopefully connected to an international criminal database, there would be a technology put to good use

hell, why not take fingerprints of all people around the world travelling or at least where in contact with the law ?

is a easy solution , get the name list from US, Europe countrys with passport numbers, birthdate number and name, and put in immigration computer, so when want enter country, it get flagged for all asian countrys, and return flight to be set up. And if they know about this, they would not even order a ticket

[Morakot]

The headline is a little confusing, as usual, this initiative was started by the CEOP in the UK in 2006.

How to make the "news", instead of saying CEOP hosts Regional Advisory Panel workshop: British Chamber of Commerce Thailand agrees

Same done in Cambodia and elsewhere http://ukincambodia.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=859174082 Not really Thailand specific.

I am also quite impressed with the psychic powers of the CEOP to detect future criminals, rather than merely informing who has been convicted of what.

the CEOP Centre is successfully stopping the activities of would be sex offenders travelling to Thailand

Edited March 6, 2013 by Morakot

[Nowhereman60]

i guess there will be a few openings soon in the Teaching field here in Thailand.

[jvs]

Why not put a ban on giving passports to convicted criminals?

[Johnnie99]

Oooooh.

There are going to be a few nervous twitches over this article.

Oh the other side of the coin, there are more and more checks - the syphilis test leaps to mind - which others do not have to perform ... surely the straw which breaks the camel's back is not far away. What about non-charged violence against children? The beating of children in Pattaya by a Thai teacher - unpunished - was featured here ... even today in my school I saw a child of 6 years being pulled forcefully by his facial cheek into the correct position in line, and another grabbed by the upper arm and literally dragged into place. Both by Thai teachers.

In no way should offenders be allowed to be with children but what about, as I say, all those who harm children daily and get away with it?

[metisdead]

Nonsense and trolling posts have been removed as well as the replies. News "updates" that were 5 years old have been removed as well as the replies.

[Cardiff1963]

..with thousands of hookers....purse snatchers....money lenders.and drug and people traffickers.....

.molesters and rapists of their own......not to mention myriad other criminals and swindlers......

.....why not 'clean up shop' at home first..........

(......or are there no Thai criminal.........)

.....selective justice.......selective morality..........

Sounding worried, do you compare the severity of hookers and, purse snatchers to the actions of pond life paedos.

[chooka]

So, all the Paedo's from other countries are all safe then to do what they want with the kids!

Appears so. Anyone but those damn Bristish pedos.

On the bright side a few less pedo having access to children is a good thing. T.A.T may not be impressed tho could see a downturn in tourist numbers by the odd 50 or so

[dapsolapsalai]

mandatory finger prints taken and hopefully connected to an international criminal database, there would be a technology put to good use

hell, why not take fingerprints of all people around the world travelling or at least where in contact with the law ?

is a easy solution , get the name list from US, Europe countrys with passport numbers, birthdate number and name, and put in immigration computer, so when want enter country, it get flagged for all asian countrys, and return flight to be set up. And if they know about this, they would not even order a ticket

a solution to what problem? the intention of the initiative is to stop people on the sexual offenders register getting jobs such as teaching or volunteer positions with access to children. you seem to be saying that anyone on any sexual offender register anywhere, no matter what the offence, should not be allowed to travel anywhere, have you considered the practicalities of your "solution" ?

Edited March 6, 2013 by dapsolapsalai