Transforming The 10/40 Window Nations Through The Power of Prayer
Pedophilia in the Window
pe·do·phil·i·a [pee-duh-fil-ee-uh] – n. abnormal sexual interest in an adult for a child; a desire to engage in sexual acts with prepubescent children. Just reading the above definition is enough to make most people cringe. And for good reason. Pedophilia is something that breaks God’s heart. The Bible calls it sin (The Bible, Galatians 5:19-21). It also goes against common decency and morality, breaking the taboos of nearly every culture that has ever existed. Mental health professionals classify pedophilia as a psychological disorder. It is also universally considered a criminal offense. Nevertheless, pedophilia is a problem throughout the world – especially in the nations of the 10/40 Window. Thailand, for instance, is a “destination country” for pedophiles (those who practice pedophilia). Known as “sex tourists,” these people flock to this nation to take part in what is thought to be the largest child sex trade in the world. UNICEF estimates that between 60,000 and 200,000 Thai children are involved in prostitution. Approximate 5,000 men visit Thailand each year solely to have sex with children. In Indonesia, instead of viewing children in the sex trade as victims, authorities often prosecuted them as “illegal sex workers.” The National Commission for Child Protection says that between 40,000 and 70,000 Indonesian children are caught up in the sex trade each year – “two-thirds of them trafficked abroad.” Cambodia is described as a “haven” for sex tourists. Despite a crackdown in 2004, a brothel village near the city of Phnom Penh continues to hire out children for sex. A human rights group reports that Cambodians actually make up a large percentage of the world’s pedophiles. “We don’t deny that Asian men like to have sex with children here,” the director of Cambodia’s Anti-Human Trafficking Department admitted. Japan is notorious for being the “world’s main producer of underage pornography.” The Philippines has an estimated 1.5 million street children, with more than 30,000 of them involved in prostitution. Despite these staggering statistics, the problem is not reserved to Asia. The Middle East is also plagued by pedophilia. “After living in the Middle East for more than 10 years,” a journalist explains, “I can now safely say that pedophilia not only exists in these windswept deserts but that it is rampant.” He goes on to list numerous examples – tragic stories of young children being abused by strangers and even family members. Most of these incidences are never made public, however, since this behavior is usually “swept under the rug.” In Afghanistan, children are reportedly raped on a routine basis by members of the nation’s armed forces. “The sexual abuse of young boys by Afghan military and police personnel is so commonly known,” one writer says, “they call it ‘Man-Love Thursdays.’” But pedophilia is not confined to Man-Love Thursdays, the Afghan military, or even this particular region. “The sexual abuse of children is common and, in many middle-eastern and eastern countries, officially sanctioned.” Whether the spotlight is focused on Vietnam, Kuwait, or Senegal (dubbed “a paradise for pedophiles”), the story is the same: children are being violated emotionally and physically while the perpetrators often enjoy anonymity and impunity. The root cause of pedophilia is a perverted lust. But other factors are involved in and contribute to what is today a prosperous, growing industry. “Grinding poverty, poor policing and no shortage of demand,” explains one source, “ensure that exploitation of children for sex thrives….” Some children are kidnapped and forced into prostitution. Others are actually sold into sexual slavery by their families. Nearly all of the victims live in a constant state of fear, are beaten and tortured by both their pimps and clients, and are forced to endure appalling conditions. The sick and demonized individuals who solicit children for sex often assuage their guilt by telling themselves they are “helping the child and the child’s family to escape economic hardship.” If they don’t hire them to satisfy their sexual needs, pedophiles sometimes rationalize, the children will suffer even greater poverty and hunger. Inside the 10/40 Window, pedophiles are seldom arrested or prosecuted. Sex with underage children is tolerated and even accepted in parts of North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. “Pedophilia is a horrendous crime,” notes one journalist. “[It] should be treated as such no matter the culture, tradition or religious beliefs. Rape of a child is a sin like no other.” PRAY FOR:
Sourced: ABC News, Inquirer.net, the Muslim Observer, Associated Content Originally published in the 1040 Window Reporter July 2010 |
See what $10.40 / month can do!
Stay in touch with news & updates.
Buy books, study guides & calendars.
The latest issue of the Reporter.
  |
