The National Taskforce to Address Pornography held its second meeting this week, focusing on the critical issue of protecting children from accessing pornography. The task force decided to move forward with drafting proposed laws to prohibit children aged 17 and under from viewing such content.
During the meeting, the Ministry for Women, Children, and Social Protection, in collaboration with UNFPA chief gender advisor Dr. Leigh-Ashley, presented a Gender Analysis of the Online Safety Act. Additionally, Director of Children, Arieta Tagivetaua, discussed the offenses related to creating, possessing, and trafficking child pornography materials as outlined in the Child Care and Protection Act 2024.
Co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications Manoa Kamikamica, the meeting addressed the rising concerns about the impact of pornography on youth. Key topics included strategies to limit children’s access to inappropriate content, initiatives to decrease overall pornography consumption, and insights from three working groups dedicated to policy and legislation, survivor support, and technology-based solutions.
The task force also learned from Australia’s efforts in tackling similar issues. The discussions emphasized the need to fill gaps in existing laws, craft new policies, and establish strong support systems for survivors of pornography-related abuse.
This meeting underscored the collective dedication of all involved parties to safeguard children and foster a safer online environment for the community.
A hopeful takeaway from this initiative is the proactive approach being taken to not only protect children but also to ensure they have a supportive framework around them should they be affected by such issues. This commitment to reform and support signifies progress in creating a safer digital space for future generations.
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