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Families condemn 'virtual strip-searches' of children
Families across the UK have expressed horror at Metropolitan Police plans to
make highly intrusive scanning machines available for schools to carry out
weapons searches on pupils. The Rapiscan Secure 1000 machine reveals a naked
image of the person being scanned, which can be stored on a computer system.
"We have seen examples of scans so intrusive that they clearly reveal
genitalia," says Ian Dowty, lawyer for Action on Rights for Children. "When
children, and their parents and teachers, realise just how little these scans
leave to the imagination, we are sure that there will be enormous opposition to
this scheme. Who will carry out the scans or access the images?"
"Taking indecent images of children is a most serious offence. At a time when
the public is rightly concerned about child pornography, we are appalled that
the Metropolitan Police has even suggested such an irresponsible course of
action.
"We share the widespread concern that weapons should be kept out of school, but
this is not the answer. The use of such invasive technology is not only
completely disproportionate: it will create its own problems.
"Children have a right to their dignity, particularly at an age when many are
extremely sensitive about their bodies. To degrade a child in this way is
tantamount to abuse. A simple metal detector would do the job at a fraction of
the cost, and without humiliating children.
"It is an offence to make or possess indecent images of anyone under the age of
18. If this scheme goes ahead, we will consider mounting a legal challenge."
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NOTES FOR EDITORS:
Contact Ian Dowty on 07976 274183
or Sally Lever on 0870 262 6319
or via the ARCH office Tel: 020 8558 9317 email:
Archrights@arch-ed.org
ARCH - Action on Rights for Children -is an Internet-based UK-wide network of
families committed to the rights of children. Through its network, ARCH
disseminates information to families, and gathers opinions on issues affecting
children in order to represent them to policy-makers at both local and national
level. For more information see:
www.arch-ed.org
Some images from Rapiscan Secure 1000 body scans can be seen here:
http://archive.aclu.org/issues/privacy/BodyScanner.jpg
http://www.retrogrouch.net/MT/archives/contentimages/rapiscan4.jpg
http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/rapi_scan_lg.jpg
A selection of reports about the Rapiscan Secure 1000 can be seen here:
http://www.rapiscan.cz/Sec1000.htm
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_545010.html
http://www.washtimes.com/business/20030521-094809-8963r.htm
http://www.millennium-debate.org/suntel11aug024.htm
http://www.rense.com/ufo6/rcmppeekers.htm
Rapiscan 1000 demo image;
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