Whose job is it to block images of online child abuse?

On Monday the story broke that Google and Microsoft are now actively blocking certain words and phrases from their search results. Although details of the exact words haven't been shared it's said to be as many as 100, 000 individual terms.

This led to further debates about what should happen next, the lengths that search engines should go to in preventing images from being found and some scepticism about whether the technology will even work.

The BBC reported the story like this, although the Daily Mail took a different approach and reported the story as a victory for...the Daily Mail. Personally, I think this 'victory' would probably carry more weight if they didn't carry so many non-stories about minor female celebrities turning 16.

The debate about whether the steps taken by Google and Microsoft will actually make any practical difference really begins now.

The newly published report on Jimmy Savile

I must be honest with you. I've written two or three posts already about the unfolding Jimmy Savile story and  didn't post any of them. This was because the whole situation has made me so angry I couldn't even pretend to be dispassionate and subjective. I just find the misuse of power to exploit vulnerable people in society the most vile of crimes.

The reason I'm writing this post now is due to the publishing of the NSPCC/Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) report into Savile's crimes called 'Giving Victims a Voice'. A major finding of which is the damning claim that the victims who spoke out at the time were simply not believed. The report makes clear that Savile used his fame to 'coerce or control' his victims, but goes on to suggest that things have improved in the reporting of such incidents. That said, the report, which you can find in full by clicking here, clearly states that there is absolutely no room for complacency.

One more related point.
I've bought many books for the LRC in the last few years on Safeguarding and Child Protection.
However, with the 'E-books on Demand' project currently running, there's nothing to stop you having a look on Dawsonera and seeing what e-books you can add to what we already have.

Reported link between abuse in childhood and adult depression.

Heard yesterday of a new piece of published work claiming that individuals who have experienced abuse as children are twice as likely to experience depressive episodes as adults compared to those without such a history of mistreatment. The study also found that abused adults do not respond well to drug or psychological treatments. This study is important both in its findings and in its scale (over 20,000 participants).

We haven't access to the full-text of this study as it's published in a journal we don't subscribe to. However, if you're a 3rd Year undergrad or an MA student interested in this study you could always order it as part of your free allocation of Inter Library Loans. For more information on how and what you can order have a look on the document supply page.

Or if you need advice on how to get the best from this free service contact me via the usual routes.