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Man charged following Panorama investigation into internet predators
A man has been charged with attempting to meet a minor he had groomed online and others are to be investigated following an investigation into internet predators by Panorama, to be broadcast tonight (Monday 7 January) on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One at 8.30pm.
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The Panorama team posted a bogus virtual identity of a 14-year-old girl called "Jane Brown" on three popular social networking sites. The unprovocative profiles described "Jane" as a typical teenager into music, dancing and hoping to make some new friends of her own age.
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The team followed strict rules to avoid entrapment – only online in the early evening between 4.00pm and 6.30pm, never late at night, yet over the course of ten sessions online "Jane" was bombarded with sexually explicit and disturbing messages by much older men, some of whom sent her naked photos.
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One man chatting to "Jane" online wanted to set her "sexual homework", another wanted her to be his "online daughter" and yet another wanted her to take part in a peepshow having sex with an older man for money.
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The results of the investigation show how easily young people can be approached and the disturbing and explicit nature of the attention they can be subjected to by internet predators.
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Panorama: One Click From Danger – looks at how parents can help their children stay safe online.
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Presenter Jeremy Vine talked to an apparently respectable middle-aged businessman – "Peter" (who is unconnected with the "Jane" case) – currently facing prosecution for trying to link up with underage girls online.
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He says the internet makes it too easy for men like him to approach young people. "Peter", who is in his 40s, told Jeremy that he pretended to be a 17-year-old on occasions. Asked why, he said:
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Peter: "Because at the time I thought it was necessary to engage them in conversation."
Jeremy: "And when you did that, did you turn it to a sexual purpose very quickly?"
Peter: "Fairly quickly, yes."
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During the "Jane Brown" investigation, the non-existent 14-year-old had received requests to chat with strangers which encouraged her to move from the public space on the site to a private one via instant messaging where only those chatting can see what's being said.
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Some examples of the conversations:
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L: So what are you up to?
Jane: Just doin a bit of homework, well trying to LOL (laugh out loud).
L: I'd like to give you some homework.
Jane: What you mean?
L: Sexual homework.
Jane: What do you mean?
L: Put my .... in your mouth.
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Later, "L", who claimed to be 19, said: "I wish you lived closer so I could take you as a girlfriend".
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"Jane" was being bombarded with messages like:
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R: You could be my online daughter if you wish.
Jane: What do u mean?
R: Ever felt that your parents never listen to you .. you're isolated in your room because no-one understands you I'm here to change that.
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By day 20 of the investigation, "Jane" had been sent several unsolicited pictures of male genitalia, asked if she was a virgin, if she would have sex and what her bra size had been when she was 10. And this all took place between 4.00pm and 6.30pm in the evening – not late at night.
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In one particularly disturbing chat, a man asked "Jane" if she would agree to appear in a peepshow having sex with an older man for a certain sum of money.
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It was shortly after this that the Panorama team passed on their complete logs of all the men who had contacted "Jane" to the police for further investigation.
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So far, a middle-aged man from the South West has been arrested and charged with travelling to meet a minor following grooming. He has admitted the offence and is expected to be sentenced later this month. Other men who contacted her are to be investigated.
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CEOP – the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre set up by the Government – say parents have a duty to educate themselves about the risks.
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Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of CEOP, said: "Talk through with them whether they understand these dangers. Where would they go, what would they do, who would they tell?"
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He adds: "In ten minutes in an online environment where you'll be able to click on information about social networking, information about how to report, information about grooming and get explanations about what it means, you'll be able to have a conversation with your child that will let them know that you're interested."
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"Peter" – the man Panorama spoke to currently facing prosecution for trying to link up with underage girls online – advises parents to take the computer out of their child's bedroom and put it into a well-used family room like the kitchen or living room.
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Many computers now have webcams and "Peter" told Panorama that it would be a good deterrent if it was apparent the computer was in a room where an adult could walk past at any moment.
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Panorama: One Click From Danger, Monday 7 January 2008, 8.30pm, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One
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