NCJ Number
230809
Date Published
2010
Length
20 pages
Annotation
In discussing the United Kingdom's (UK's) press coverage of pedophilia, this chapter focuses on "The News of the World's" Sarah Payne campaign - which illustrates how the press used this case to raise the profile of pedophilia, fueling a "moral panic" - and it discusses how the press can play a more responsible role in portraying an empirically based representation of pedophilia that fosters enlightened prevention efforts.
Abstract
The "News of the World" ran a series of anti-pedophile campaigns that argued for stricter government procedures, including the introduction of the public disclosure of sex offender information. This was done in the wake of the abduction, sexual abuse, and murder of Sarah Payne in 2000. The "Name and Shame" campaign argued that public disclosure was the most effective mechanism to allow parents to protect their children from sexual abuse. The government initially rejected such a law ("Sarah's Law"), claiming it would drive pedophiles underground, off the register, and make them a greater potential threat to children. The government ultimately agreed to pilot partial public disclosure, whereby parents, caregivers, and guardians are allowed to ask whether anyone with access to their children has a history of sexual offending, and single mothers are allowed to check on the past histories of new partners. The chapter concludes that The News of the World's campaign was partly responsible for the moral panic surrounding pedophilia that swept Britain at the beginning of the 21st century and still exists. The UK media, especially the tabloid press, has not discussed the reality of threats of abuse to children from within the home (incest, domestic violence, and neglect). Such abuse is far more prevalent than the threats from solitary sexual predators who are strangers to their child victims. 91 references