	Hidden Evil
	The question of how to give our children the right sort of protection has been highlighted by the tragic disappearance of Madeleine McCann. I think that one reason that this event has touched so many people is that all of us who are parents realise that this could happen to any of us. It is so easy for someone determined to abduct a child to do so. On the other hand it would be equally damaging for us to be over-protective of our children. They need the opportunity to learn to stand on their own feet. Such abduction of children is thankfully very rare. The question is: What is acceptable risk? Each one of us parents has to decide that; but awareness of what is happening in our society is surely essential if we are to make sensible judgements about risk. It seems increasingly likely that there was a sexual motive behind Madeleine’s disappearance. This event, which has devastated her family and friends and deeply affected so many people around the world, reminds us of how much evil there is in the world in connection with the sexual exploitation of children. What we hear about is almost certainly only the tip of the iceberg. Child pornography on the internet is apparently a huge industry. Of course, the children involved in those pictures are real children. Their lives really are being ruined by the adults exploiting them. Anyone who uses the internet in connection with child pornography might consider that they are doing no harm; but every person who logs on to that kind of material is encouraging those who produce such material to feel that it is acceptable to do so, and that they are meeting a legitimate need. Just how widespread child abduction is in some countries came home to me when I read about the Congo. A civil war is going on in that country, and children are abducted daily, the boys to be trained as soldiers, and the girls to serve the sexual demands of the soldiers. I believe that the only way to combat the sexual abuse of children is to ensure that more and more people show zero tolerance towards it. In this country that seems to be happening. 30 or 40 years ago many people would have turned a blind eye to it. We are much more aware now of the long-term damage that it can do to those children who have been abused. At Norbury we take the risk of the abuse of children very seriously, and ensure that all who work with children in our church are CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked. The clergy are of course included in this process. Simply by carrying out this process with so many of our church members, we emphasise the importance that we attach to it. Jesus himself asked us to take the issue of the abuse of children very seriously. With a child beside him he said,	Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if any of you causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone hung around your neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea (Matthew 18:5,6). Jesus also made it clear that no one is beyond forgiveness—that includes those who have abused children—provided that they face up to the damage they have done, are genuinely sorry and want to turn away from previous destructive actions and attitudes (see Luke 15, for example). One of the organisations that we support as a church is CARE (Christian Action Research and Education). This organisation has the respect of many Members of Parliament, and it lobbies in parliament over topics of Christian concern. There are leaflets published by CARE in the display racks in the Legh Room. You can also visit their website, which is www.care.org.uk In the current CARE prayer guide we are reminded of the threat to children who have access to the internet. Those adults who want to target children for abuse can contact them through the internet and arrange a meeting with them, often pretending to be a child themselves. CARE gives us information about an organisation that is safe for children to use on the internet. It is called Childnet International. It is run by Christians, and the website is www.childnet-int.org Perhaps by the time that this magazine is out, Madeleine will have been found. I am among millions of people praying that that will be the case. Whatever has happened she will have been scarred. Just being separated from her parents and not knowing when she will see them again is traumatic enough. We can only pray that whatever she has suffered, the scars will not be too deep, and that she and the whole family will experience some sort of healing. I believe that the publicity over this case has been vital. It increases our awareness and reminds us of what happens to some children. It helps us to develop a culture in which children are respected and no one is complacent about child abuse. Prayer Father God, help us to develop the kind of care for each child that you have. Help us to be aware of the risks facing our children, so that we may allow them to be adventurous within acceptable limits. Help us to enable them to grow up to be confident and strong, and to find that you are the real source of strength in their lives; we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. Martin Collins
	Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire. Telephone: 0161-483 6325

Hidden Evil

The question of how to give our children the right sort of protection has been highlighted by the tragic disappearance of Madeleine McCann. I think that one reason that this event has touched so many people is that all of us who are parents realise that this could happen to any of us. It is so easy for someone determined to abduct a child to do so.

On the other hand it would be equally damaging for us to be over-protective of our children. They need the opportunity to learn to stand on their own feet. Such abduction of children is thankfully very rare.

The question is: What is acceptable risk? Each one of us parents has to decide that; but awareness of what is happening in our society is surely essential if we are to make sensible judgements about risk.

It seems increasingly likely that there was a sexual motive behind Madeleine’s disappearance. This event, which has devastated her family and friends and deeply affected so many people around the world, reminds us of how much evil there is in the world in connection with the sexual exploitation of children.

What we hear about is almost certainly only the tip of the iceberg. Child pornography on the internet is apparently a huge industry. Of course, the children involved in those pictures are real children. Their lives really are being ruined by the adults exploiting them. Anyone who uses the internet in connection with child pornography might consider that they are doing no harm; but every person who logs on to that kind of material is encouraging those who produce such material to feel that it is acceptable to do so, and that they are meeting a legitimate need.

Just how widespread child abduction is in some countries came home to me when I read about the Congo. A civil war is going on in that country, and children are abducted daily, the boys to be trained as soldiers, and the girls to serve the sexual demands of the soldiers.

I believe that the only way to combat the sexual abuse of children is to ensure that more and more people show zero tolerance towards it. In this country that seems to be happening. 30 or 40 years ago many people would have turned a blind eye to it. We are much more aware now of the long-term damage that it can do to those children who have been abused.

At Norbury we take the risk of the abuse of children very seriously, and ensure that all who work with children in our church are CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checked. The clergy are of course included in this process. Simply by carrying out this process with so many of our church members, we emphasise the importance that we attach to it.

Jesus himself asked us to take the issue of the abuse of children very seriously. With a child beside him he said,

Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if any of you causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone hung around your neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea (Matthew 18:5,6).

Jesus also made it clear that no one is beyond forgiveness—that includes those who have abused children—provided that they face up to the damage they have done, are genuinely sorry and want to turn away from previous destructive actions and attitudes (see Luke 15, for example).

One of the organisations that we support as a church is CARE (Christian Action Research and Education). This organisation has the respect of many Members of Parliament, and it lobbies in parliament over topics of Christian concern.

There are leaflets published by CARE in the display racks in the Legh Room. You can also visit their website, which is www.care.org.uk

In the current CARE prayer guide we are reminded of the threat to children who have access to the internet. Those adults who want to target children for abuse can contact them through the internet and arrange a meeting with them, often pretending to be a child themselves. CARE gives us information about an organisation that is safe for children to use on the internet. It is called Childnet International. It is run by Christians, and the website is www.childnet-int.org

Perhaps by the time that this magazine is out, Madeleine will have been found. I am among millions of people praying that that will be the case. Whatever has happened she will have been scarred. Just being separated from her parents and not knowing when she will see them again is traumatic enough. We can only pray that whatever she has suffered, the scars will not be too deep, and that she and the whole family will experience some sort of healing.

I believe that the publicity over this case has been vital. It increases our awareness and reminds us of what happens to some children. It helps us to develop a culture in which children are respected and no one is complacent about child abuse.

Prayer

Father God, help us to develop the kind of care for each child that you have. Help us to be aware of the risks facing our children, so that we may allow them to be adventurous within acceptable limits. Help us to enable them to grow up to be confident and strong, and to find that you are the real source of strength in their lives; we ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Martin Collins

Hidden Evil

Prayer

Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire. Telephone: 0161-483 6325