Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
7 December 2024 | 11:30 CAT
5 min read

Online sexual predators are exploiting technology at an alarming rate, posing a growing threat to women and children. As part of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, efforts to combat these crimes take center stage.

Established in 2017 under the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, SECI operates across all nine provinces, focusing on electronic crimes, including child pornography, and investigating serial rapists linked to the DNA database. The unit’s groundbreaking operations, such as Operation Bad Vibes, have been instrumental in apprehending predators and rescuing victims.

Leading the charge is Colonel Celeste van der Klashorst, Section Commander of the National Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Unit, who told Radio Islam: “Yes, we are really taking on this fight with double-handed gloves. And I don’t think it’s something we can ever beat. It would be a perfect world if we could beat it, but we’re doing our best to at least curtail it.”

She highlighted that this operation was one of the largest undertaken by the South African Police Service to date. It stemmed from international reports initiated in collaboration with law enforcement counterparts in the USA. Following a major takedown operation, numerous targets were identified worldwide, including several in South Africa. “We managed to track and trace 27 of those targets, and it is an ongoing operation, of which we’ve arrested 16 so far. Identified and saved 5 children and obviously had to deal with millions of child pornographic images and videos,” she said.

Colonel van der Klashorst emphasised the importance of staying ahead of criminals in an ever-evolving technological landscape. “Use of cellphones, social media and technology changes not by the day, but by the hour. If you blink, it changes, making it incredibly difficult to keep up,” she said.

She raised a critical question for parents: “Are you monitoring your children’s phones? Do you know what your children are doing online?”

She also highlighted the alarming rise in digital crimes, noting, “When we had COVID, we were bursting at our seams. It seemed like everybody was doing things that they had never done before online, of which we had a very big spike in child pornography, both manufacturing, distribution and production of that. So it is true. It just escalates daily, and we never see a decline.”

Colonel van der Klashorst stressed the gravity of the situation, stating that they see a daily increase in child pornography cases. “Please remember that every image you see is actually a crime scene. It is actually a child, a baby that is being raped or sexually exploited,” she said. She emphasised further that it’s not just a picture; it is actual evidence of a real crime happening.

She praised South Africa’s child pornography laws as among the best in the world, noting that even writing or depicting child pornography, whether in text or simulation, is a crime. She pointed out that this is not always the case internationally. Possessing child pornography is treated similarly to possessing stolen goods, with forensic analysis revealing a digital footprint that can be used as crucial evidence in court. “So it’s very, very, very difficult to stand in a court of law and say, it wasn’t me. Because the angle of approach is a forensic one, obviously, a lot of times, the children would testify if we’re fortunate enough to trace those children. So, we’re looking at a crime that is really going well within the criminal justice system,” she said.

She highlighted a significant shift in the legal approach, stating that courts are now leaning toward charging per image in child pornography cases. This means 100,000 charges, each with its own sentencing.

Colonel van der Klashorst emphasised the need for continued efforts across all sectors, including the police and the Department of Social Development. Victim identification is a critical part of their work, often involving international collaboration to trace children and potentially save them from exploitation. In South Africa, once children are rescued, they are handed over to the Department of Social Development, which provides the necessary support, including counselling. In cases where the perpetrator is present, the goal is to remove the abuser rather than uproot the children from their home, ensuring the child’s safety and well-being.

Counselling for victims is an ongoing process, as recovery is never a set timeline. While victims may always carry the trauma, with the right support, they can transform into survivors. This requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders involved.

She discussed the complex relationship between victims and perpetrators, noting that some offenders claim to have been victims themselves. While acknowledging the emotional weight of this situation, she emphasised that, as law enforcement, it’s difficult to understand how someone could inflict harm on a child, even if they were once victims. She clarified that, as a police officer, her role isn’t to analyse psychological motivations but to focus on holding perpetrators accountable.

“So, victims often become perpetrators. But if they can get the necessary help and guidance, this doesn’t have to be the case,” she said.

To join SECI, candidates must have at least two years of experience in the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit, with a strong track record of convictions and quality investigations. Emotional intelligence and resilience are crucial, and candidates must be over 25 years old due to the challenging nature of the work.

Colonel van der Klashorst emphasised that if an officer struggles during their probation, they are not forced to stay. “But an amazing thing happens when these guys and girls come in and do this; it’s as if they become addicted to tracing these perpetrators, and they don’t want to leave. We see the most horrendous things, but we can do something about it. We’ve got the badge. Let’s do it,” she said.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Junaid Kharsany and Colonel Celeste van der Klashorst, Section Commander of the National Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Unit, here.