I can't believe this story. Yet people still insist Western societies haven't gone overboard with the excessive focus on sex and 'sexual freedoms'. These kids aren't just doing this coincidentally, they're learning it.. When adults have no morals and are so over-sexualised, doesn't take long for it to filter down to young kids..

---

SHOCKING sex assault allegations against Year 1 and Year 2 boys have caused worried parents to pull children out of a Brisbane primary school.

The Courier-Mail reports at least three Year 1 and Year 2 boys were alleged to have sexually assaulted their classmates in separate incidents at the school on the city's northern outskirts since June.

One girl was pulled out of the school after she was allegedly assaulted, with another Year 1 student, by two boys in the school toilets on June 16.

The girls' underwear was removed by the Year 1 boys, who then allegedly performed sex acts on the girls.

Police have confirmed they investigated an incident in June but have refused to say whether the boys were cautioned.

Children under the age of 10 are unable to be charged.

Two other girls were allegedly sexually assaulted last week.

A Year 2 boy is said to have grabbed a girl from behind and put his hand up her dress while in a separate incident, another Year 1 girl was touched inappropriately by Year 1 boys while in line.

Parents of one of the girls told the Courier-Mail they reported the matter to police ''not for revenge'', but so the boy might realise the seriousness of the situation and also to bring about change at the school.

They said they were unhappy with the way the school dealt with it, with the boy returning to class the next day without his teacher being told about the incident.

It was left to the victim's mother to warn the teacher that the boy should be monitored.

The parents said police were now going to address the entire school on appropriate behaviour and praised the officers and education officials for their handling of the situation.

They also said the school had many great teachers who did a fantastic job.

An Education Queensland spokesman confirmed ''an alleged child protection issue'' at a state school in the Brisbane area had been referred to police and the Department of Child Safety ''as a matter of urgency in June''.

Source: News.com.au

Perhaps this is related as well...

---

Paedophiles behind face of respectability

By Tracey Spicer

The Daily Telegraph

September 21, 2009 07:00am

A PAEDOPHILE lives in Sydney's East Ryde*. He doesn't have a facial tic or a stutter. He doesn't look like the sex offender from central casting. And his name is not Dennis Ferguson.

He is one of tens of thousands of paedophiles, living in the suburbs, who don't walk around with big signs on their foreheads.

In about 90 per cent of child sex abuse cases, the perpetrator is a family member or friend, not some rock spider who abducts kids in the street.

"Offenders look like everybody else," Carol Ronken from Bravehearts, a support group for child sex victims, said.

"We need to be vigilant within our own four walls."

Six year old Naomi*, who drew the picture, left, is among the one-in-five Australian children who have been molested.

There's no way of sugar-coating this.

The drawing shows Naomi in bed, watched by her father and a man she calls "grandpa" who rapes her in a way too gruesome to describe.

Five years ago Naomi's mother Debbie* found child pornography on the home computer. She called the police, who convicted her husband.

He was later charged with sexually abusing his young niece.

It was then that Debbie found semen on her 18-month-old daughter's clothing.

The family fled to Adelaide but, under the controversial shared parenting laws, Debbie was forced to return to Sydney where her ex-husband had access to Naomi, supervised by his new wife.

When Naomi turned three, she began complaining of a sore vagina. She behaved in sexually explicit ways that no three-year-old should know and told her mum: "Daddy did this."

Doctors discovered her hymen had been broken.

Despite all this, Debbie is still forced to give the father access to Naomi every second weekend, from 9am on Saturday to 6pm on Sunday. God only knows what happens between those hours.

According to the National Council for Children Post-Separation, there's a hidden epidemic of child sexual abuse inthe home. If mums raise concerns which can't be proven in court, they risk having more time awarded to an alleged perpetrator - or losing custody of kids.

Family Court Chief Justice Diana Bryant wrote to Attorney-General Robert McClelland demanding urgent changes to protect at-risk children.

During protests about Dennis Ferguson last week, a neighbour said it was "unacceptable how a person of his calibre was placed in there", as the Government scrambled to find alternative housing.

While I applaud these residents for protecting their children, where were the concerned neighbours - and authorities - when little Naomi was being sexually abused?

And where were they when a man in Victoria's Latrobe Valley was allegedly raping his daughter for 30 years, producing four children? It seems we're ready with the pitchforks when an obvious predator is in our midst - but we turn a blind eye when the offender looks like Joe Average.

There's an old saying that you never know what goes on behind closed doors.

But we've all had our suspicions. It's just easier to look the other way.

Neighbours of the man dubbed "Australia's Josef Fritzl" said "a lot of people knew about this" and "something should have been done sooner".

Having lived in the Latrobe Valley for two years, I wouldn't be surprised if there are dozens more Aussie Fritzls.

In the hills around Morwell and Moe unemployment is high, families are broken and incest is rife.

The daughter reportedly took out a restraining order against her father two years ago but authorities were deaf, dumb and blind.

It's the same story in Sydney where Naomi remains at risk during each access visit despite numerous interviews with police, doctors and the Department of Child Safety.

Why is it that government departments do nothing then try to clean up the mess when the damage is done?

There are three reviews under way into shared parenting laws, with calls for interim measures now before any more children are hurt.

In the meantime, we all have a role in keeping our eyes and ears open - and being brave enough to stand up and report something if it doesn't seem right.

That caricature of a child molester, Dennis Ferguson, will be moved on to another community, which will no doubt try to evict him.

But how many others are living in the same suburb? The same street? Or the house next door?

Source: News.com.au

abu_rashid wrote on Sep 21^st, 2009 at 11:18pm:

I can't believe this story. Yet people still insist Western societies haven't gone overboard with the excessive focus on sex and 'sexual freedoms'. These kids aren't just doing this coincidentally, they're learning it.. When adults have no morals and are so over-sexualised, doesn't take long for it to filter down to young kids..

Well, you won't have any arguments from me on this.

I find paedophilia completely disgusting.
many paedophiles should be casterated.

even any suspicion of anyone and I will keep a very close eye on them.

I'm impressed soren, I think that's the first time you've actually suspended your dislike for Muslims long enough to agree with me for a moment. We're making progress after all.

Well Aboo when are YOU going to make some progress?

i don't think that is a possibility till abu apostates

abu_rashid wrote on Sep 22^nd, 2009 at 9:27am:

I'm impressed soren, I think that's the first time you've actually suspended your dislike for Muslims long enough to agree with me for a moment. We're making progress after all.

Thank you.
Note that no-one needs a Koranic compass to agree with your opening statement on this thread.

Quote:

Note that no-one needs a Koranic compass to agree with your opening statement on this thread.

Agreed. Islam is not the sole source of moral teachings. In fact pretty much all religions teach morality.

More despicable examples of the sex-crazed Western society gone haywire..

---

Chilling bond between online abusers
By Jon Kay
BBC News

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46475000/jpg/_46475387_george_comp.jpg
Police have said they could find no financial motive for the sexual assaults

They lived hundreds of miles apart, and never met face-to-face until they appeared together in the dock of Bristol Crown Court, but Vanessa George, Angela Allen and Colin Blanchard knew more about one another's secrets than anyone else.

After meeting online between autumn 2008 and spring 2009, they exchanged thousands of messages via their phones and computers, some of which contained extreme and explicit images of child abuse, which one investigating officer described as "truly defying belief".

All three defendants told police they met through Facebook, and then went on to exchange images via texts and e-mails.

But because officers can never hear the real-time phone conversations which took place, they say it is impossible to know exactly who initiated the relationship.

"I don't think we'll ever know who started the cycle," said Det Supt Adrian Pearson of Nottinghamshire Police.

'Horrific and devilish'

"It will be one of the enduring mysteries of this investigation how three people who lived at different ends of the country, and came from different backgrounds and lifestyles, could meet online and then somehow start a conversation about child abuse in its most horrific and devilish form."

Officers might not know how their cyber-relationship started but they do believe George, Allen and Blanchard were "equal parties" in the crime.

According to Det Insp Tony Creely of Greater Manchester Police: "They were as bad as each other. Blanchard expressed love for each of the women [in the texts], and they would both reciprocate.

"They would all discuss sexual matters of a crude and gross nature - and then the abuse of children."

There is no evidence the images were sent beyond the three of them or any suggestion the pictures were taken for money.

Det Supt Michele Slevin: "She remained very calm and controlled in her answers"

Instead, officers believe the trio were involved in some kind of three-way contest - as if they were trying to outdo one another with increasingly sordid pictures.

"They were all willing participants," said Det Supt Pearson. "The texts and e-mails were becoming ever more outrageous, and the things they were talking about were accelerating all the time."

The investigation began in Rochdale in June when a colleague logged on to the laptop of computer salesman Colin Blanchard to investigate his business dealings while he was on a work trip abroad.

When he discovered images of babies and toddlers being sexually assaulted he immediately contacted police.

Anger

Blanchard had already been cautioned for downloading indecent images of children in 2002 and as a result had spent five years on the sex offenders register.

After examining his computer and other electronic devices, Greater Manchester Police arrested Blanchard on his return to the UK. Blanchard's e-mails and texts led officers to Vanessa George and Angela Allen.

The three had done nothing to encrypt or hide the contents of their messages. One officer said: "It didn't take us long to work out who else we were looking for."

Plymouth nursery worker George, 39, was the first of the women to be arrested. Her job as a childcare worker meant her arrest immediately provoked great anger and concern among parents.

A mother describes the horror of knowing her children may have been victims

Two days later she appeared in court, charged with serious sexual assault on babies and toddlers, as well as making and distributing indecent images of children.

Parents wept in the public gallery as the graphic charges were read out. Then some of them pelted her prison van with bags of flour.

In all, George took about 150 indecent images on her camera-phone. But despite extensive investigations, the police have not managed to identify any of the children, so about 30 families have been told that their children may have been among George's victims - but they will probably never know for sure.

"It is just the worst feeling you can ever imagine," said one parent who trusted George to look after her children.

"Feeling sick 24 hours a day. Not being able to sleep. Drinking during the day. Everyone was the same - mums and dads in tears."

'Truly evil'

But detectives said George remained "very calm and controlled" during questioning. Det Supt Michele Slevin from Devon and Cornwall Police told the BBC that "in some ways George was slightly unemotional".

Officers can find no evidence of George committing similar crimes in the past. "We've no explanation, don't understand why she would start to do this kind of thing. It's something that sits within her and only she knows," added Det Supt Slevin.

The second woman to be arrested was Angela Allen. Also 39, unemployed and single, she lived in Nottingham and was described by police as being "on the fringes of society".

None of the three suspects we're talking about are bathed in glory, but Angela Allen is truly evil
Det Supt Adrian Pearson

Like George, she was charged with serious sexual assault and making and distributing indecent images of children.

TBC...

Det Supt Adrian Pearson described her as "sinister… and absolutely atrocious", adding that Allen had shown "not one tear of remorse".

He said: "None of the three suspects we're talking about are bathed in glory, but Angela Allen is truly evil.

"The tone and the fantasies she described in her texts and e-mails were perhaps the most graphic of them all. It was of a graphic nature you could not possibly describe, it was chilling."

Det Supt Pearson said that this case was "absolutely unique in many ways", not least because it involved women paedophiles.

"On the face of it, these three people appeared to be entirely normal. But all of them were absolutely focused on their own sexual gratification.

"The number of victims, the scale of their deceit, the way that they manipulated relationships and the cunning they have all used for their own ends is really, really shocking."

BBC

casterate all 3 and life imprisonment ??

I thought you didn't believe in physical punishments sprint??

Anyway, I think it would be wiser to think about preventative measures. Examining what causes people to end up in such a sick and depraved state...

Abu, do you think child sexual abuse only occurs in western society?
Have you ever heard of Hassam El Masri? he's the all time top point scorer in the NRL, he's also a Muslim, very devout at that, he's also a child victim of abuse from a family member, in Lebanon.

Quote:

Abu, do you think child sexual abuse only occurs in western society?

No, and nowhere have I stated as such. It is a scourge which can effect any society. However in some societies it is much more prevalent and in this case we can see is perpetrated by a wide range of people. Normally women are not involved in paedophilia, and these women have no history of it. However they seem to have been "encouraged" into it by this man. People who'd never met, and who just chatted on an internet site somehow began sending sickening pictures of one another doing these despicable acts to children and even babies. What gave them the "courage" to openly commit such acts with people they'd never met before?? I'd say society's attitudes towards sexualisation has a large role to play.


Quote:

Have you ever heard of Hassam El Masri? he's the all time top point scorer in the NRL, he's also a Muslim, very devout at that

Yes I know him personally.


Quote:

he's also a child victim of abuse from a family member, in Lebanon.

That's terrible, as I said, by no means restricted to Western societies. Also, as far as sexualisation of societies goes, Lebanon is pretty bad. It's by no means an Islamically based society, and remember their head of state is Christian, so it's officially a Christian-ruled state anyway.

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Abu, do you think child sexual abuse only occurs in western society? No, and nowhere have I stated as such.

Why did you say that"people still insist WESTERN SOCIETIES havn't gone overboard"then?





Quote:

I can't believe this story. Yet people still insist Western societies haven't gone overboard with the excessive focus on sex and 'sexual freedoms'. These kids aren't just doing this coincidentally, they're learning it

I was drawing a direct link between Western Societies over-sexualisation of their people and culture, and the sexual activities those little grade oners were indulging in....

Come on Skip, I can't turn on any media, or even drive down the road without having sexual images bombarding me. I turn on my phone to check the weather or my balance and I find naked women strewn all over the homepage for my provider anytime after about 7:30 pm.... On TV one can often find quite shocking scenes of sexuality even around 8:00 or after... I just don't let my kids watch TV, unless it's pre-recorded programs I know are safe, because of the utter filth and smut that's all over the place. When you have billboards screaming out "Want longer lasting sex??", do you think 7 or 8 year old kids can't read it or something???? Come on, our society is going down the gurgler, and I think you know it. When I was a kid, it wasn't this bad, and my parents would often comment on how bad it was already compared to when they were kids... so how about the next generation or so??? I shudder to think..

Quote:

When I was a kid, it wasn't this bad, and my parents would often comment on how bad it was already compared to when they were kids... so how about the next generation or so??? I shudder to think..

You ever heard of -Number 96 or The box? they were both on in the 1970s and had full nude scenes most nights.

My point is that its not Western society to blame, it happens in all societies and it did when you were a kid and when your parents were kids and so on.the difference is that now people talk about it openly and hopefully because of that less kids will be subject to it in the future.
Standing about thinking that if you changed society to how it used to be isn't going to stop anything.

Quote:

You ever heard of -Number 96 or The box? they were both on in the 1970s and had full nude scenes most nights.

Yes I have, but was not aware they had full nude scenes. Are you sure about that? Also that's two programs... today it's all programs pretty much. Even many kids programs have innuendo and references in them that I am shocked by.


Quote:

My point is that its not Western society to blame

I think it is. I think it's leading the forefront in smut and filth and portraying them as something cool and fashionable. And I think this increased amount of sexual offenses we're seeing is a result of that.


Quote:

it happens in all societies and it did when you were a kid and when your parents were kids and so on.the difference is that now people talk about it openly and hopefully because of that less kids will be subject to it in the future.

I don't buy that, sorry. It is definitely more prevalent now, and nobody can deny it. You can make guesses about how prevalent it was in the past but unreported, but it's just that, a guess, it's not hard facts, sorry. If you'd like to discuss it, discuss it with facts.


Quote:

Standing about thinking that if you changed society to how it used to be isn't going to stop anything.

Even past Western society was still a little too debaucherous for my tastes, so that's not what I'm alluding to either. I think a complete rethinking of society's values need to be undertaken. And quite obviously I believe Islam has the answers.

Quote:

Yes I have, but was not aware they had full nude scenes. Are you sure about that? Also that's two programs... today it's all programs pretty much. Even many kids programs have innuendo and references in them that I am shocked by

I know the Box had full nude scenes, Number 96 had topless scenes all the time and the resident gay couple Don and Duddles, many of those scenes were shot with the gay lovers in bed, shock horror.

I have absolutely no time for pedophiles.  However, I don't think we're getting any worse as a society. We're just more open about such things.

I remember a million years ago in my first year of school when a girl my age (5) wanted to basically show me hers if I showed her mine. I was naive and innocent enough to oblige her (I'm still very innocent of course). It got to the headmaster, but it was basically laughed off in an embarrassed way and sent me back to my class. I gave a factual account of the matter which I could deal with, but he couldn't.

Nowadays, I shudder to think what might have happened. The police would have been called in, it would have been published in the media, and I'd probably be psychologically impaired for life.  

I agree with skippy to a greater extent. The 70's were much worse when it came to promiscuous attitudes.  Take Roman Polanski for example.  The 70's was the era of free love, where sex was seen as a good thing that should be spread around, and even some child pornography (well underage anyway) was legally produced.

If he had committed the same act nowadays, he'd be locked up, no get out of gaol free card, no plea bargaining, and he'd be hounded everywhere he tried to settle down after he got out, except perhaps in France and some parts of Scandinavia.

skippy,


Quote:

I know the Box had full nude scenes, Number 96 had topless scenes all the time and the resident gay couple Don and Duddles, many of those scenes were shot with the gay lovers in bed, shock horror.

Even if that is the case, then that's just more proof for my case. These shows were the precursors to today's television. They paved the way for them. The error in your argument is that you're assuming I'm claiming the 70's were pure... they were not. But today is definitely a lot filthier.

muso,


Quote:

We're just more open about such things.

Thaat's the argument people seem to be using for a lot of things, but it's an unprovable argument, since it's not based on verifiable evidence. It's the same as the claims that crimes are more prevalent in other societies, but they're just not reported as much... nothing but pure speculation and unverifiable conjecture.


Quote:

I remember a million years ago in my first year of school when a girl my age (5) wanted to basically show me hers if I showed her mine.

Again, sounds like a precursor to me...


Quote:

The 70's were much worse when it came to promiscuous attitudes.

What I will agree on is that the change which occurred between thee 60's and 70's was much more extreme than the change which occurred between the 80's and 90's and led us to today's situation... but as far as the sexualisation is concerned, today is much worse. It's probably just that you've grown up de-senistised to it, and it's become so normalised in society.


Quote:

f he had committed the same act nowadays, he'd be locked up...

Actually he was arrested for it back then, just that he fled overseas... When he faces trial this time I'm sure he'll be let off. Several countries have already called for his release.

abu_rashid wrote on Oct 2^nd, 2009 at 9:30pm:

What I will agree on is that the change which occurred between thee 60's and 70's was much more extreme than the change which occurred between the 80's and 90's and led us to today's situation... but as far as the sexualisation is concerned, today is much worse. It's probably just that you've grown up de-senistised to it, and it's become so normalised in society.

While I disagree with your evaluation that Islam is the answer, I can certainly see that the moral fabric of Western Society is in shreds. Blind Freddy can see that it's a problem. The old Christian morality was not perfect, but at least it provided some kind of moral framework. In today's society, we seem to have replaced that with political correctness which advocates a kind of universal laissez faire attitude that borders on anarchy. This is causing major problems with whole generations of dysfunctional families. (I'm probably revealing some of the more conservative aspects of my political makeup here)

I had a similar converation with an Egyptian acquaintaince. Although she's Coptic, she shares a lot of the mainstream views with others in her society. She thinks that the gulf Arabs are totally stark-raving mad, but that there are a lot more problems within American society. Having spent some time in both societies, I'm not too quick to disagree with her.

Quote:

While I disagree with your evaluation that Islam is the answer, I can certainly see that the moral fabric of Western Society is in shreds. Blind Freddy can see that it's a problem.

Well of course we wouldn't agree on the answer, or we'd both be Muslims, or whatever doctrine/belief/viewpoint you are coming from. But I'm glad we can at least agree on the diagnosis, and perhaps even the prescription for the treatment, just not which specific pharmacy chain it should be purchased from :)


Quote:

The old Christian morality was not perfect, but at least it provided some kind of moral framework.

Exactly. Christianity wasn't perfect but it did provide at least some boundaries that people would not openly transgress too easily. Things will always happen in secret, but that's another issue we must also work on, by promoting a healthier viewpoint about life in general.


Quote:

In today's society, we seem to have replaced that with political correctness which advocates a kind of universal laissez faire attitude that borders on anarchy

Again agreed 100%! Freedom in and of itself has been deified, and self-gratification has become the new form of prayer.


Quote:

This is causing major problems with whole generations of dysfunctional families. (I'm probably revealing some of the more conservative aspects of my political makeup here)

And the problem is that these issues have a snowball effect on society. Each society that grows up becomes more and more likely to commit these excesses. Firstly because of the "copycat" effect, whereby slightly younger groups seek to imitate those older than them, and secondly because of the residual effects of these things, ie. an abused child will often go on to offend themselves, and kids from broken homes will often find it hard to form lasting relationships in their own life. So this does in effect lead to society spiralling out of control. Sure it's not all bad news, and a lot of these things often lead to 'backflip' effects whereby children of broken homes grow up making sure they give their kids what they were deprived of.


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She thinks that the gulf Arabs are totally stark-raving mad, but that there are a lot more problems within American society.

I wouldn't go so far as stark-raving mad, but they definitely have problems in their society. But again I would say Islam has something to offer both American and neo-Islamic societies. In my analysis of the situation, both Western and Muslim societies have strayed from their moral frameworks (or religions) and today are both heading down a sheer cliff face into the abyss of societal chaos. Muslim societies might be a little more conservative, but they're still heading down the same cliff face.


Quote:

Having spent some time in both societies, I'm not too quick to disagree with her

You spent time in the Gulf? Or just Muslim societies in general? I think you said you spent time in Africa if I recall correctly.

abu_rashid wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2009 at 1:23pm:

You spent time in the Gulf? Or just Muslim societies in general? I think you said you spent time in Africa if I recall correctly.

I spent some time in the UAE, mainly Abu Dhabi, and also in Qatar. I worked in the Oil industry there in the 80's. What became apparent to me was that women there rule the roost at home with an iron fist. It's a very polite, yet dysfunctional society. The other observation, from speaking to a number of people was the (outward) sexual repression. I think I made the comment before about a female friend who found visiting a clothes shop a very creepy experience. She was from the UK and always dressed modestly.

I also worked in Africa (Mali, Guinea and Senegal) in the late 90's, and have visited Western parts of Turkey, around Izmir and the Bergamon/Dikili region. This was again for work purposes. They are all very different societies.  Turkey is even worse than some Western countries. In the three Subsaharan countries I visited in Africa, promiscuity generally came as naturally as shaking hands regardless of religious upbringing.

The champion of sexual assault offenders in New South Wales are muslims.

Must be the MTV they watch. Couldn't possibly be Islam given Mohammed was a champion rapist himself.

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The champion of sexual assault offenders in New South Wales are muslims.

"Champion"??? What kind of sick epithet is this for a sex offender???

As far as I'm aware NSW's worst sex offenders are still the Anita Cobby rapists/murderers. And they were very Anglo.

Rape is completely forbidden in Islam and a capital offense. Can't say the same about Western society, where in fact it's often glorified and idolised in popular culture.

what sort of a sex offender was mohammad?

abu_rashid wrote on Oct 5^th, 2009 at 7:41am:

Quote: The champion of sexual assault offenders in New South Wales are muslims. "Champion"??? What kind of sick epithet is this for a sex offender???

Come on Abu, it's obviously intended to be ironic.

ironic or moronic?

what sort of a sex offender was mohammad?

Quote:

As far as I'm aware NSW's worst sex offenders are still the Anita Cobby rapists/murderers.

The Cobby murderers are the lowest scum on earth, along side the Scaff brothers, and they are very MUSLIM.

abu_rashid wrote on Oct 5^th, 2009 at 9:44am:

ironic or moronic?

I'll go a greenback on ironic. Pays better not to over egg the cake on righteous indignation... People might think you're not dinkum.

abu_rashid wrote on Sep 21^st, 2009 at 11:18pm:

I can't believe this story. Yet people still insist Western societies haven't gone overboard with the excessive focus on sex and 'sexual freedoms'. These kids aren't just doing this coincidentally, they're learning it.. When adults have no morals and are so over-sexualised, doesn't take long for it to filter down to young kids..

Law stipulates girls can marry at just 9 in YemenYemeni 10-year-old raped daily by old husband

Girls can be married at just 9 years old in Yemen (File)

SANAA (IRIN)

It was every little girl's dream; she was to get a new dress, jewellery, sweets and a party for all her friends.

What 10-year-old Aisha did not know was that after the wedding party she would have to leave school, move to a village far from her parents' home, cook and clean all day, and have sex with her older husband.

"He took out a special sheet and laid me down on it," Aisha told IRIN, wringing her small plump hands. "After it, I started bleeding. It was so painful that I was crying and shouting, and since then I have seen him as death."

Drugged and beaten

" My Dad told me to sleep with my husband, or he would kill me, but I refused "
10-year-old AishaAfter a week of fighting off her husband every night, Aisha's father was called. He had received 200,000 Yemeni Rial ($1,000) for his daughter in 'shart', a Yemeni dowry, which he could not pay back.

"My Dad made a cup of tea and put some pills in it, which he gave me. The pills made me feel dizzy," said Aisha. "My Dad told me to sleep with my husband, or he would kill me, but I refused."

Instead Aisha broke a glass bottle over her head in a desperate attempt to stay awake. "My Dad hit me badly. I was bleeding from my mouth and nose," she said.

After spending a few months in her husband's home, where she said he would regularly drug her and beat her, Aisha managed to escape. Now, two years later, aged 12, she is unable to divorce him.


Rape not marriage

" I don't call it marriage, but rape "
Shada Mohammed Nasser, a lawyer at the High Court in SanaaA bill passed in parliament in February 2009 setting the minimum age for marriage at 17 was rejected by the Islamic Sharia Codification Committee which said it was un-Islamic, according to local women's rights organizations.

So, for now, there is no law protecting children against early marriages in Yemen.

"I don't call it marriage, but rape," said Shada Mohammed Nasser, a lawyer at the High Court in Sanaa. She has represented several child bride divorce cases in court, but admits she has lost most of them. Only a handful of child brides have successfully managed to divorce their husbands.

"The law on marriage stipulates that a girl should not sleep with her husband until she is mature," said Nasser, which according to the law is the age of 15. "But the law is not enforced."

A girl can be married at just nine, but cannot legally seek a divorce until she is 15 or older. The money paid by the husband for his "wife" is a further obstacle to divorce, while the case can only be heard in a court in the governorate where the marriage took place.


Arcane views

" Usually the marriage will have been signed in the husband's governorate and the judges may look more favorably on their own kinsmen "
Nasser"Usually the marriage will have been signed in the husband's governorate and the judges may look more favorably on their own kinsmen," said Nasser. "Many judges are governed by arcane views on women."

Just under half of Yemeni girls, 48 percent, are married before they turn 18, according to the Washington DC-based International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW). This is classified as underage, according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

In some governorates as many as half of all girls under the age of 15 are married, according to an unpublished study from 2007 on early marriage by Sanaa University's Gender Development Research and Study Centre.

Yemen has signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
A glimmer of hope?

Children having children

"The greatest problem facing Yemeni women today is child marriages," said Wafa Ahmad Ali from the Yemeni Women's Union, which has long campaigned for a raise in the minimum age of marriage.

"These early marriages rob the girl of the right to a normal childhood and education. The girls are forced to have children before their bodies are fully grown instead of going to school and playing with other children," she said.

However, Minister for Human Rights Huda al-Ban told IRIN that President Saleh had recently agreed to put forward - for discussion in parliament in May - the bill with 17 as the minimum marrying age. "If the bill is successful it could be passed as a law in September," she said.


http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/02/21/101004.html