7-14-2009 Switzerland:
MEN without a prior sex conviction who look at child pornography on the internet are unlikely to sexually assault a child, according to Swiss scientists.
Researchers led by Frank Urbaniok of the Canton of Zurich Department of Justice delved into the criminal record of 231 men who were charged with viewing child pornography via a US website.
In the six years before the 2002 police operation, only one per cent were known to have committed a hands-on sex offence.
And only one per cent of the men committed a hands-on sex offence in the six years afterwards.
The study reinforces previous research which found most consumers of internet child pornography are well-educated and view other types of illegal pornography as well, including sexual acts involving animals or violence.
Mr Urbaniok said men who surfed the web for child pornography were sex offenders, but it should not be automatically assumed that they were a risk for sexually assaulting a child.
"Our results support the assumption that these consumers, in fact, form a distinct group of sex offenders," he said.
"Probably, the motivation for consuming child pornography differs from the motivation to physically assault minors.
"Furthermore, the recidivism rates of one per cent for hands-on and four per cent for hands-off sex offences were quite low."
A 2005 paper by Canadian researchers Michael Seto and Angela Eke found that of 201 men charged with child pornography offences, 24 per cent had prior offences for sexual contact.
Four per cent went on to commit a subsequent sexual offence after being charged or prosecuted. ..Source.. by Agence France-Presse
July 14, 2009
Study finds no link between child porn and sex abuse
May 3, 2009
Nude hiking banned in Swiss Alps to stop Germans
4-3-2009 Switzerland:
VOTERS in the heart of the Swiss Alps have passed legislation banning naked hiking after dozens of mostly German nudists started rambling through their picturesque region.
By a show of hands citizens of the tiny canton (state) of Appenzell Inner Rhodes voted overwhelmingly on Sunday at their traditional open-air annual assembly to impose a 200 Swiss franc ($A245) fine on violators.
Only a scattering of people opposed the ban on the back-to-nature activity that took off in the previous autumn, when naked hikers - primarily Germans - started showing up in eastern Switzerland.
The cantonal government recommended the ban after citizens objected to encountering walkers wearing nothing but hiking boots and socks.
"The reactions of the population have shown that such appearances over a large area are perceived as thoroughly disturbing and irritating," the government.
A similar legal move is expected in neighboring Appenzell Outer Rhodes with legislation being prepared against "this shameless behaviour".
German websites promoting the activity describe it as "a special experience of nature, free and healthy" and said nude walking in the Alps has roots in antiquity.
The verdant Appenzell region has been regarded as a favourite, with trails the nudists regarded as off the beaten path.
The German sites also promote walks in France and in regions of Germany, where public nudity has roots going back to the 18th century through a movement that has come to be called "Free Body Culture". Nudism in more conservative areas of Switzerland is less common.
A similar legal move is expected in neighbouring Appenzell Outer Rhodes. The nationalist Swiss People's Party has advised the cantonal parliament it is preparing legislation against "this shameless behaviour". ..News Source.. by Daily Telegraph
