The Daily Observer (Banjul)
26 August 2008
editorial
Paedophilia, someone writes, is spiritual murder. Child seduction is just as bad as rape; and rape constitutes the most heinous of crimes against humanity. Apart from the physical damage they cause, paedophiles inflict lifelong mental injuries on their poor victims.
There is no crime, no sin greater than the destruction of the innocence of children by paedophiles.
While it may not be a new phenomenon, paedophilia has not been commonplace in our part of the world. Recent developments, however, suggest otherwise; and there is every reason to believe that the practice is even more palpable now than ever before.
Amongst the world's most nauseating social menaces, paedophilia seems to have been given a new dimension thanks to the advancement in technology, especially the internet, as it has given its perpetrators an even more robust stance in their dastardly acts, making prospects of their apprehension all the more difficult.
The arrest in The Gambia of a Norwegian national, Anthony Michael Dobson, last week, for alleged engagement in paedophilic activities, was not only worrying due to the fact that the culprit disguised himself as a tourist, but also because he had a Gambian as an accomplice. Many other people with similar intent have been discovered to have disguised themselves as innocent helpers when in actual fact they were wreaking havoc on our largely unsuspecting society. Normally, we ought to be able to learn from these experiences, and set examples that would forever deter potential criminals.
The Dobson case also rekindles the debate of patriotism; that a Gambian could connive with such a dubious personality is a disgrace.
Whatever the case, by the end of the day, we must be able to send a clear message, through our judicial system, that The Gambia's culture of openness and tolerance should not, and must not, by any means be allowed to be abused. Having said this, we have no doubt that justice will take its course.
In the meantime, it is important for Gambians to note that in our effort to wipe out this threat, our goal should be to prevent future occurrences. The Department of State for Tourism, the Department of State for Interior, The Gambia Tourism Authority, the security forces, the general public, as well as parents themselves, all have a great role to play in this regard, in making this country unsuitable for paedophiles and other criminals.
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