Activist slams sentence against father convicted of raping his three children and selling pornographic images
The 27-year-old was sentenced in the Paarl Regional court on Monday, but cannot be named due to the nature of the crimes against his children, two girls aged six and four years and his one-year-old son.
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CAPE TOWN - A children's rights and gender- based violence activist has criticised the justice system after the sentencing of a sex offender who was found guilty of digital trafficking in persons and the rape of his three minor children.
The 27-year-old was sentenced in the Paarl Regional court on Monday, but cannot be named due to the nature of the crimes against his children, two girls aged six and four-years-old and his one-year-old son.
He was sentenced on four counts of rape of two minor children and 629 counts of possession of child pornography, among other charges.
The accused will serve an effective 35-year direct imprisonment, but will be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence.
Children's rights and gender based violence activist Caroline Peters said that this is not justice.
"Let's be very clear. This is not justice. Not for these children, nor for the safety of other children in our country."
Peters added that survivors of trafficking and online exploitation often face lifelong vulnerabilities.
"Yet the man who committed more than 600 offences, including trafficking, rape, and the creation and sale of child pornography of his own children, will be eligible for parole after serving just 22 years, while his victims will live with this trauma for their entire lives.
Peters said that the case should also serve as a reminder to the public that every day should be child protection day.