Panaji: A lack of coordination among international agencies allows paedophiles who are travelling abroad to get off scot-free, making it possible for them to repeat the crime, according to a UK-based anti-child sex trafficking activist.
“The lack of coordination among international agencies lets sex predators on the move to go scot-free, making it possible for them to repeat the offence while on bail,” anti-child sex trafficking crusader, Christine Beddoe said.
Speaking about the case of Raymond Varley, who is alleged to have abused and tortured young children in an orphanage in Panaji for close to 20 years, Beddoe said the extradition of the sex predator to India failed as he managed to convince the British High Court that he was suffering from dementia.
“On an international level, there is a need for cooperation on child abuse investigations,” she said, adding that Varley’s case was a unique example of how the accused is now a free man.
“When we are trying to catch these bad guys, we need to engage Ministry of External Affairs and various agencies. The cases like Raymond are likely to happen again,” she said.
Stating that criminals getting involved in child abuse cases outside their country is common, Beddoe said between 2011-12, 66 Britons were arrested for child abuse outside UK.
In five years, from 2007 to 2012, 293 Britons were arrested for child abuse cases outside UK, she said, adding that between 2008-09, 33 British nationals involved in teaching abroad were convicted for child sex abuse.
“Of them 23, had been previously arrested or convicted in UK,” Beddoe added.
In several cases, she said, it has been noticed that orphanages and shelter homes are used to attract children, and later abuse them. “The perpetrators of these crimes are seen as good samaritans,” Beddoe said.
