South Africa is no stranger to sexual offences. At any given time, there are many active campaigns that are intent on raising awareness about the consequences of sexual offences for the offenders as well as the victims. This week, News24 reported on a case in Virginia, Welkom. A man and a teenage girl both face charges of manufacturing and distributing child pornography after they were caught sending each other nude self-portraits.
The parents of a 16 year old girl were not impressed when she walked out of church while the service was still in progress. They decided to punish her by keeping her phone. Interested in their daughter’s reason for abruptly leaving the church service, they went through her phone conversations. They were horrified and angered to find nude pictures of their daughter and those of a much older man.
The naked man in the photos is a 42 year old businessman from Welkom. It appears that the two have been sending nude pictures back and forth for some time now. Another surprise was in store for the girl’s parents when they found that their daughter had also been sharing nude pictures with two other boys who are closer to her own age.
When the parents went to the police to report the man, the police charged the girl as well. The man and the young girl face the same charges of manufacturing, distribution and possession of child pornography. It is alleged that a number of videos showing sexual poses and acts were also found on the girl’s phone.
The man told police that he was aware that the girl was in school but had never asked her exact age. The pair had gone out for a meal where the man made promises of a lavish lifestyle to the girl. They will be tried separately. The man, who is out on bail, is expected in court on 22 May while the young lady is due to make her appearance on 26 April.