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BANGKOK: In Thailand, a new internet tracking software may help law enforcement agencies pool resources, and catch child sex offenders.
Currently, many suspects are able to escape prosecution by crossing borders before the law catches up with them.
Child trafficking is widespread in the region, and poverty drives many children to paedophiles masquerading as tourists.
Conclusive numbers are hard to come by, but the United Nations has put the number of child prostitutes at 40,000 in Thailand alone.
Despite the high profile arrests of UK pop star Gary Glitter in Vietnam, and American John Mark Karr in Thailand, the region is still seen as a relatively safe haven for this type of crime where suspects are able to exploit lax law enforcement to escape prosecution.
Paedophiles share information on the net to stay one step ahead of the law in poor countries, which may not have the resources nor the capacity to aggressively pursue them.
But a new tracking software may soon help police tackle the problem.
"A law enforcement officer in Canada wrote to Bill Gates, sent him an email, and said, 'The predators have overwhelmed us with their knowledge of technology and how they've used technology. We are losing this battle. We need your help. We need a technology solution,'" says Kathy Bostick, Senior Attorney, Microsoft.
Paedophile predators are often able to travel with impunity, breaking the law in one place and crossing the border quickly to elude arrest.
But the Child Exploitation Tracking System may make this less likely and help police share information.
"…the Child Exploitation Tracking System will allow me to compare who else is investigating "PrettyBoy32", who else is investigating someone with this email address, so we can prevent duplication, and we can consolidate valuable resource," says Jim Gamble, CEO, Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.
Another avenue to gather evidence is to seize the computer hardware and thumb drives, which could contain incriminating evidence.
But experts warn a software programme is hardly a quick fix.
The problem is a complex one which requires all round co-operation at all levels. - CNA/yy
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