Diverse and Interesting Topics

Sandra · Jan, 10, 2024,

British children commit 18 rapes a DAY:

Shock official figures reveal 15,000 rapes and sex attacks by under-18s in 2022 - with access to violent online porn blamed for 'normalising' criminal behaviour

In excess of half of all child sexual offences are committed by other youngsters

Violent pornography and access to smartphones are turning children into sex abusers – with more than 6,800 rapes committed by youngsters aged ten to 17 in a year, a report reveals.

In excess of half of all child sexual offences are now committed by other youngsters, the landmark study into the scale of offending across the country has concluded.

Officers have charted an explosion in sexual crimes being committed by teenagers.

As well as the 6,813 rapes in 2022, there were 8,020 sex attacks plus 15,534 cases of indecent images of a child relating to the sharing of naked pictures.

Yesterday the national police lead in tackling child abuse warned that sexual violence has become 'normalised behaviour' for some schoolchildren after years of watching hardcore pornography on their phones.

Figures show that 52 per cent of a total of 106,984 child sexual abuse offences reported to 42 police forces in England and Wales in 2022 were carried out by fellow youngsters in what officers called 'a growing and concerning trend'.
Violent pornography and access to smartphones are turning children into sex abusers – with more than 6,800 rapes committed by youngsters aged ten to 17 in a year, a report reveals.

In excess of half of all child sexual offences are now committed by other youngsters.

That is a 400 per cent rise from 2013 when it was estimated that child-on-child abuse accounted for a third of those offences.

There was also a raft of recorded offences more traditionally associated with predatory adult paedophiles, including 6,496 crimes involving sexual activity involving a child, 225 sexual grooming crimes, 62 abuse through sexual exploitation and 385 exposure and voyeurism offences.

The youngest 'sex offender' reported to police in that 12-month period was a four-year-old child who uploaded an indecent image of their sibling.

The crimewave is not just fuelled by sexting and 'exploratory online sexual behaviour' among teens going through puberty.

The National Analysis of Police-Recorded Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Crimes Report suggests the increasing availability of smartphones has led to younger children carrying out serious offences.

Ian Critchley, national policing lead for child abuse protection and investigation, said: 'I think this is being exacerbated by the accessibility to violent pornography and the ease in which violent pornography is accessible to boys and a perception that is normalised behaviour.

'Therefore that person can carry out that behaviour that they are seeing online in the most violent way against other peers as well.'

Mr Critchley insisted that police do not want to criminalise a 'generation of young people', adding officers will not necessarily take action if an underage girl shares an indecent image with her boyfriend.
The National Analysis of Police-Recorded Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Crimes Report suggests the increasing availability of smartphones has led to younger children carrying out serious offences.

As well as the 6,813 rapes in 2022, there were 8,020 sex attacks plus 15,534 cases of indecent images of a child relating to the sharing of naked pictures.

But forces are concerned by the rise in serious sexual offending often inspired by the pornography teenage boys are watching.

He added: 'This is gender-based crime in how are they are abusing, harassing and in some regards committing sexual assault and rapes against their peers.'

The report stated: 'We're living in a time when anyone of any age can access harmful and abusive pornography online.

'The impact of the next generation can't be understated, with some children being exposed to pornography at nine years old.'

Around 97 per cent of children aged 12 to 15 own a smartphone and 83 per cent of children aged five to seven use a tablet.

Analysts found the most common age of a perpetrator involved in child-on-child abuse is 14 – and where the relationship was recorded, victims knew their abuser in nine out of ten cases.

Although 82 per cent of perpetrators are male, the report identified groups of girls under the age of 18 taking part in sexual communication and indecent images of children offences.

Child abuse within the family environment also remains a common form of reported abuse, accounting for an estimated 33 per cent of offences.

Wendy Hart, deputy director for child sexual abuse at the National Crime Agency, said: 'This report shows the scale of child sexual abuse continues to increase. It highlights it is a largely hidden crime.'

snowfire · Jan, 10, 2024,

No further comment necessary

Sandra · Jan, 12, 2024,

UK chippies are selling unsuspecting customers SHARK and chips, shocking study reveals

Despite more regulation, shark deaths have increased between 2012 and 2019
In 2019 around 80 million sharks were killed by fishers for their meat and oil

Forget cod and chips - if you've recently been to a UK chippie, you may have unknowingly eaten shark meat, scientists have revealed.

Despite a global push to curb the trade in shark fins, demand for shark meat has only grown, according to a new study.

Sandra · Jan, 13, 2024,

I was 'gang raped' in the metaverse -the trauma was similar to a real-world assault

Four avatars charged the metaverse expert and attacked
One attacker sneered, 'Don't pretend you didn't love it!'

A woman has revealed she was 'virtually gang raped' by four male avatars in Meta's Horizon Worlds - and she said the trauma is similar to a real-world assault.
Psychotherapist and start-up co-founder Nina Patel said that her attackers may have felt 'disinhibited' due to being in a virtual world.

While she does not know the attacker's true identities, all four had male voices - and one even said to her, 'Don't pretend you didn't love it' after the attack.
The 'distressing experience' happened just 60 seconds after joining the Meta-owned virtual world - a shared 3D space where avatars often meet random people.

Patel was targeted simply for having a female avatar, an experience she described as 'surreal' and 'horrible.'

'They relentlessly harassed me and then proceeded to (what can only be described) as the sexual assault of my avatar,' she explained.

'Their behavior was offensive and disturbing.'

Horizon Worlds is a pioneering metaverse space owned by Mark Zuckerberg's Meta - a free 3D world where avatars can explore and talk to each other, accessible via Meta Quests headsets and other hardware.

But like many VR spaces, it's not heavily policed, and sexism, homophobia and racism are rife, researchers have said.

'The attack likely occurred in that instance because of the anonymity and perceived lack of consequences within the VR space,' Patel said.

Patel is co-founder of Kabuni, and is an expert in metaverse and VR - hence she was one of the earlier users of Horizon Worlds.

The attack saw the male avatars mobbing her character, yelling abuse at her and taking photos in-game - with one jeering attacker making a very crude suggestion over what she should do with the images.

'Some people may engage in such offensive behaviors in VR settings because they feel detached from their real-world identities and believe they can act without facing any repercussions.

'Another issue potentially is that on some VR platforms, aggressive and violent behavior is encouraged and rewarded.'

She said that the feelings such attacks can evoke are very real.

Pointing to a recent case in Britain where a young girl was assaulted in VR and contacted the police, Patel said: 'The emotional and psychological impact of VR can be very genuine and impactful.
Horizon Worlds is a pioneering metaverse space owned by Mark Zuckerberg's Meta - a free 3D world where avatars can explore and talk to each other, accessible via Meta Quests headsets and other hardware

Horizon Worlds is a pioneering metaverse space owned by Mark Zuckerberg's Meta - a free 3D world where avatars can explore and talk to each other, accessible via Meta Quests headsets and other hardware

The girl under the age of 16 is said to have been left distraught after her avatar was gang raped by online strangers.

Officers said she suffered the same psychological and emotional trauma as someone who has been raped in the real world as the 'VR' experience is designed to be completely immersive.

'The girl [who reported her attack to the police] is very brave, and she is on a new frontier,' Patel said.

'Bringing this to the attention of the police would have been no easy task, and she is breaking ground with her actions. While we don't know where it will lead, it is a step in the right direction.'

'These feelings and experiences are a testament to the power of VR technology in creating compelling and engaging simulations.

The 'metaverse' refers to virtual spaces where you can game, work and communicate with other people who aren't in the same physical space as you.
Horizon Worlds is a pioneering metaverse space owned by Mark Zuckerberg's (pictured) Meta

Horizon Worlds is a pioneering metaverse space owned by Mark Zuckerberg
'For instance, an assault in the Metaverse, while occurring in a virtual setting, can have very real psychological consequences.

'The intensity of experiences in the Metaverse can mirror the emotions felt in the physical world due to the immersive nature of these environments.'

She said the metaverse brings together technologies such as virtual and augmented reality - and feels so real that it can have 'profound emotional and psychological impacts.'

'This can lead to real trauma and psychological distress akin to those experienced in physical assaults,' Patel continued.

SumOfUs, a non-profit organization, produced a report on the problems of hate speech and sexual assault in Horizons in May 2022.

The organization's 21-year-old researcher was attacked within an hour of using the platform.

The unnamed researcher said: 'It happened so fast I kind of disassociated. One part of my brain was like wtf is happening, the other part was like this isn't a real body, and another part was like, this is important research.'

A Meta spokesperson highlighted that the researcher did not have the Personal Boundary feature on – a safety tool that's turned on by default and prevents non-friends from coming within four feet of your avatar.

But Patel said in the case of her attack, she simply 'froze' and couldn't activate her 'Personal Boundary' in time.

The feature provides a digital boundary between avatars when turned on.

SumOfUs's research found virtual groping and gang rape on the platform, along with sexist, homophobic and racist comments.

The research found it was 'easy' for children to use the platform - and there was a failure to act against users who violated guidelines.
The virtual world was released by Meta in 2021, allowing users to gather with others, play games and build their own virtual worlds. But like many VR spaces, it's not heavily policed, and sexism, homophobia and racism are rife, researchers have said

The virtual world was released by Meta in 2021, allowing users to gather with others, play games and build their own virtual worlds. But like many VR spaces, it's not heavily policed, and sexism, homophobia and racism are rife, researchers have said

Horizon Worlds using a Meta Quest headset and found that children were widely using the software.

The problem is not restricted to Meta's metaverse platforms - one 14-year-old Roblox user told BBC Newsround: 'I was playing Roblox, and I was on a game where you work at a pizza place, and two people were pressuring girls to do inappropriate stuff with them, and if they did, they would get extra money in the game.'

Patel described her experience as the 'tip of the iceberg.'
What is the metaverse?

The 'metaverse' is a set of virtual spaces where you can game, work and communicate with other people who aren't in the same physical space as you.

Facebook explained: 'You'll be able to hang out with friends, work, play, learn, shop, create and more.

'It's not necessarily about spending more time online — it's about making the time you do spend online more meaningful.'

While Facebook is leading the charge with the metaverse, it explained that it isn't a single product one company can build alone.

'Just like the internet, the metaverse exists whether Facebook is there or not,' it added.

'And it won't be built overnight. Many of these products will only be fully realized in the next 10-15 years.'

'I am not the first, and the British girl who recently experienced it and brought it to the police will not be the last,' she explained.

'Most users of virtual reality have reported they had encountered racism, homophobia, and sexual harassment, either directed at them personally or at others.'

'When someone is in a VR environment, their brain often perceives the experiences as genuine, and they may feel real emotions such as excitement, fear, joy, or even a sense of presence in the virtual world.'

Patel - co-founder of education start-up Kabuni, which uses VR as an educational tool, remains a passionate advocate for the technology.

'I share my story and continue to advocate for a safer metaverse because raising awareness about the challenges and risks within virtual environments is crucial,' she said.

'By sharing my experiences, I hope to contribute to meaningful discussions and actions aimed at making these spaces more secure.

'While negative incidents might deter some users, my advocacy emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach, recognizing both the potential benefits of the metaverse and the necessity for robust safety measures, especially for children and young people.

'Speaking out allows me to promote responsible design, challenge stereotypes, and push for collective efforts from platform providers and users, all in pursuit of creating a safer and more enjoyable metaverse for all of us.'

Patel said it's important not to underestimate the power of technology - but believes that it can be a force for good, fostering innovation, creativity and a sense of community.

'Today, we find ourselves at a critical juncture where we have the opportunity to establish the foundation for a metaverse that brings more positive impact than harm,' she explained.

'By harnessing this potential responsibly, we can create virtual spaces that enhance human connection, promote learning, and provide safe and enjoyable user experiences.

Sandra · Jan, 14, 2024,

Five migrants die in the English Channel after dinghy gets into difficulty off the coast of France

Five migrants has died after trying to reach Britain from northern France despite freezing temperatures, the French maritime authority said.

Sandra · Jan, 15, 2024,

Quote [Expand]Rishi Sunak's Rwanda headaches grow with Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson 'set to join' 60-strong revolt by right wingers in crunch votes

Ahead of two crunch days of votes in the Commons starting tomorrow, more than 50 Tory MPs have publicly backed right-wing amendments to the Rwanda Bill.

--------------------------------------

David Cameron says the government's Rwanda plan is 'essential' to stopping the boats as fears of Tory mutiny grow

Foreign Secretary David Cameron insisted yesterday the Government's Rwanda plan is 'essential' to stopping illegal migration following resurgent signs of mutiny from Tory MPs.

WILL WE EVER STOP THEM

Sandra · Jan, 16, 2024,

Should you get the new RSV vaccination?

The virus is as risky as the flu and experts are pushing for a national immunisation programme for over-75s

Few of us may have heard of this virus, but now leading scientists warn that RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) poses a significant threat to some people's health.

Sandra · Jan, 16, 2024,

A former nurse, a male prostitute and a man known a 'The Eunuch Maker' have all been hauled before the Old Bailey in recent months charged with a catalogue of crimes not for those of a squeamish disposition.
The ringleader, who had his leg and penis removed, is now wheelchair-bound, while other members of the gang took part in stomach-churning acts of mutilation, including cutting off genitals and nipples.
Some of these horrifying events were even livestreamed on the internet to a paying audience, bringing in £200,000, in addition to the £18,000 in disability benefits claimed by the sick gang's leader following his illegal amputation.
The public could be forgiven for thinking their eyes are tricking them on reading those words, but it is true - this group of men have been deliberately cutting off their own limbs, often for money and sexual pleasure. But as one of the most bizarre court cases in British history moves towards its conclusion, things become even stranger if you look deeper than the headlines. Former nurse Nathaniel Arnold, 48, Jacob Crimi-Appleby, 23, male prostitute Damien Byrnes, 36, and their Norwegian ringleader Marius Gustavson, 46, are all part of the freakish Nullo - short for genital nullification - movement.

Strkofgns · Jan, 17, 2024,

I got it. (Not in my cheek, tho).

Sandra · Jan, 17, 2024,

Quote from: Strkofgns on Jan, 17, 2024, I got it. (Not in my cheek, tho).

Well that's one member

Sandra · Jan, 17, 2024,

And still they come: MORE migrants risking their lives on tiny dinghy in the Channel today - as the Tory party rips itself to shreds over whether Rishi Sunak's latest Rwanda plan can stop them.

useitorloseit · Jan, 18, 2024,

I want to think of some way to reply to this but I just can't now. And I don't use the word "can't" in real life.....

Please tell me that honest hard working, tax paying citizens are not in any way paying for the care or costs associated with these things.... If someone wants to "nullify" themself, then fine, laissez-faire, but do not in any way expect ANYONE else to be obligated to support medical or mental health care in any way. Fuck around and find out.... It may be a dark-ages perspective, but voluntarily doing something such as this has serious consequences, and if it ends poorly, even a long time later, then too bad, so sad, you chose it, good-bye.