Jevon McSkimming case a wake-up call to child abuse 'at every level', charity says

Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Warning: This story discusses sexual abuse, which some may find disturbing. Jevon McSkimming's sentencing on Wednesday should serve as a wake-up call to how common sex abuse images have become - and to help perpetrators stop accessing them, according to a child protection charity. The ex-deputy police commissioner pleaded guilty last month to possessing objectionable publications, including child sexual exploitation and bestiality. Seventeen other police staff had been under investigation in relation to "misuse and inappropriate content" as a result of a subsequent audit. Among six stood down was an experienced detective who allegedly also possessed objectionable material. The cases have brought home to people how prevalent accessing extreme content is "at every level", said ECPAT Child Alert national director Eleanor Parkes. "People are surprised when they hear about this happening - and it is completely outrageous and horrific, but it is not a surprise to us. And if there's one, there's more. We really need to step up our efforts around the prevention space and not be waiting until someone is found out for the types of content that they're searching for online, which are deeply harmful to children." Some perpetrators realise they need help to stop them getting into more serious images or offending, she said. Photo: Supplied / ECPAT Child Alert "If we're waiting until someone has fed that need and that desire and they're well down the line of the extreme types of content that they're seeking - that is much more difficult to help those people. "We need to be making sure people who are starting to become concerned about their sexual preferences can get support in the early days. There is strong evidence that some of the programmes that we have in New Zealand for people to seek support in those early days are effective. "And I can completely understand why members of the public take a more black and white approach and just say 'harsher sentencing'. But that really isn't what is going to be keeping our children safe." She stressed that the content is not pornography, but demand-fuelled sexual abuse of children. "The people who are accessing these images and these videos are doing real harm. They shouldn't think of the perpetrators as being elsewhere. They are perpetrating this harm." McSkimming told a colleague that over the years he had needed different types of imagery to "make him feel anything, and it just kept escalating". Of the sessions police analysed, 880 objectionable images included 812 of adult bestiality and 68 of child sexual exploitation material. The remaining 2065 photos and videos showed bestiality (63 percent) and child sexual exploitation (37 percent). His searches included AI material, and computer-generated images. As well as being deputy commissioner, McSkimming was appointed chief security officer for Police in March 2021. His membership of the Security and Privacy Reference Group gave him knowledge of information security controls applied to internet use. McSkimming pleaded guilty to three representative charges of possessing objectionable publications, and would be sentenced at Wellington District Court on Wednesday. Help for perpetrators Online pictures and videos accessible worldwide depict the sexual abuse of more than 300 million children a year, according to university researchers. Last week, Australian police revealed what they claim is an international 'satanic' child sex abuse material ring operating in suburban Sydney. "One of the ongoing challenges in this area is that many people who experience concerning sexual thoughts or behaviours simply don't know that specialist support services exist, or that these services can be effective," said ECPAT's Parkes. "People in this situation often feel alone, ashamed, and unsure where to turn. Because the experience is highly secretive and stigmatised, secrecy itself can become a barrier that prevents early intervention. Even when someone does know that help is available, taking the first step can feel extremely difficult. People can worry about repercussions, especially if they have viewed harmful material." Worrying that family or partners would find out and fear of their reactions - being judged or rejected - was a significant emotional hurdle, she said, as well as concerns about legal consequences. Specialist organisations such as WellStop, STOP, and SafeNetwork provide early intervention and treatment for concerning or harmful sexual behaviour. "They work on preventing sexual harm before it occurs and providing early support for children, young people, and adults through specialist pathways, combining therapy, risk management, education, and when appropriate support for the wider whānau or community around the person," she said. "Referrals for children and young people often come through family members, schools, or community professionals, and the support extends beyond the...

Jevon McSkimming case a wake-up call to child abuse 'at every level', charity says

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