#Child #Exploitation #Webcam #Abuse

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11853009

Deakin’s arrest reveals one of the darkest corners of the internet, where pedophiles in the US., Europe and elsewhere pay facilitators in the Philippines to sexually abuse children, even babies, directing their moves through online lifestreaming services.

This relatively new crime, webcam sex tourism, is spreading rapidly.

The United Nations describes “alarming growth of new forms of child sexual exploitation online.”

The FBI says it’s epidemic, and that at any given moment, 750,000 child predators are online.

Almost every case stems from the Philippines, where good English speakers, increased internet connections and widespread international cash transfer systems combine with widespread poverty and easy access to vulnerable kids.

There have been as many as three busts a week there this spring. The youngest victim ever, rescued a few weeks ago, was an infant, 2 months old. Most are under 12.