BEWARE of illegally circulating disturbing images via social media.
That’s the warning from members of the legal fraternity and social workers.
This after horrific images of an abused baby, allegedly abandoned and eaten by ants, were circulated on a social media group this week, causing shock and distress to receivers.
Harrowing photos of the naked infant, revealing her extensively brutalised face, body and injured, swollen genitals, caused such trauma that a receiver who unsuspectingly opened the attachment, had to be medicated.
The receiver reported the incident in terms of the legal obligation to report child abuse or suspected child abuse and prevent further distribution and legal liability.
The pictures, accompanied by an Afrikaans prayer request, stated the victim was rescued and in hospital.
But at the time of going to print, the whereabouts, identity of the little girl and nature and extent of injuries had not yet been established.
The possibility of sexual assault is not excluded.
A social worker and advocate agreed the first priority is to trace the source and safeguard the baby.
Illegal distribution via social media
‘The constitution enshrines the child’s best interests and any distribution of material concerning children, must be done with exceptional care and consideration,’ said a local attorney.
‘Child victims of abuse and exploitation may not be identified without the consent of their legal guardians and the child, depending on capacity and age, only when public interest is evident and lastly if it is in the best interests of the child.
‘Due care and responsibility must be exercised with the presentation of brutality, violence and suffering, and all social media forums should consider the consequences of their actions very carefully.
‘Although distribution was arguably done in good faith in the specific instance, the Sexual Offences Act criminalises the exposure or display of child pornography to an adult, with or without consent of that person.
‘Pornography by definition includes graphic images of genitalia and it is not required that distribution must be intended for sexual gratification.
‘Any display of child nudity will therefore move into the very grey area of what is regarded as child pornography.
‘Although it was clearly not the intent of the group, well-meaning distributors, should consider that these images may unwittingly pleasure deviant sexual predators.
‘Such forums are in fact creating a loophole for paedophiles to share images under the guise of prayer groups.
‘Prayer requests like these could indeed cause further harm.
‘The way to jail is often also paved with good intentions.’
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