Investigations in child sex video launched, says NCC |25 May 2021
The press conference (Photo: Louis Toussaint)
The National Council for Children (NCC) and partner organisations including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Seychelles Police Force (SPF) joined together in a press conference yesterday afternoon to condemn the content and sharing of a viral video on social media depicting sexual activities between children, under the influence of older children it would appear.
Chief executive of the NCC, Yasmin Umarji, condemned the circulation of videos of such a nature, urging the public to be mindful that sharing of content of such a nature is not only an offence under the laws of Seychelles, but also urging consideration of the implications on the children featured in the videos and their families.
Mrs Umarji also called out to parents and caretakers to remain vigilant for signs of abuse, to ensure that children are kept in the care or under the watch of persons that they trust and to also act as caretakers towards other children in their environment and communities, and report any signs of abuse.
Mrs Umarji also noted the mandate of the NCC to protect and safeguard children, detailing the various programmes and services offered by NCC to advocate and promote children’s rights.
“We call on parents, please be more vigilant. We call on parents, family and on society, all of us are responsible for the protection of children and we all need to assume that responsibility. We all need to play our part, so be more vigilant. If you suspect anything, report to the police, to the social services, as we are all working together to protect children,” Mrs Umarji stated.
Similarly, principal secretary for education Odile De Comarmond conveyed on behalf of the ministry a profound sadness at the acts depicted in the video. Since the circulation of the video picked up on social media over the weekend, the department of social affairs and Seychelles Police Force (SPF) have launched an investigation into the matter.
Inspector Agnes Labiche, who was also present, noted that investigations commenced as of yesterday morning and that the police are seeking information with regard to the incident, in addition to other such incidents.
She also divulged that the video involves four children aged 6, 8, 10 and 16, all boys, including the person who filmed the video, and that no adults were involved.
Laura Pillay