Child Pornography Allegations Rock the Entertainment Industry (again)

How safe are our youngest actors from the attentions of child predators? Do entertainment business executives practice due diligence when bringing adult professionals and underage talent together? Recent developments indicate otherwise.

Sesame Street Composer Faces Child Pornography Allegations

Parents familiar with "Sesame Street" and "Handy Manny" children's television programs did a double-take when Reuters - as quoted by Yahoo! News - reported on the arraignment of Fernando Rivas, a composer whose credits included work on these series. The 59-year-old children's music composer face allegations related to the "production, distribution and possession of child pornography." It is interesting to note that Rivas entered a not-guilty plea and is currently free after posting a $300,000 bond.

Other Recent Entertainment Industry Scandals

The allegations against Fernando Rivas are just the latest scandal to rock the entertainment industry. Accusations of sexual misconduct, predation and molestation - as they pertain to adult professionals in the business, even if they do not involve young talent - have come out with an alarming frequency. The Learning Channel audience will remember the Oct. 28 News Observer disclosure that alleged "hardcore child exploiters" (snared by "Operation Spyglass") included a television editor from TLC. This professional alone must answer to 10 counts.

A Nov. 19 story by the L.A. Times highlighted the troubled past of an entertainment industry professional working as a casting assistant. Once a convicted child molester for the kidnapping and molestation of an 8-year-old child, the talent professional had since found employment casting young actors. In this instance, there are no reports of new victims; however, the worrisome aspect of available opportunity cannot be overlooked.

Access, Location and Trust = Opportunity?

Mayo Clinic researchers minced no words in 2007 when highlighting that children are familiar with the offender "an estimated 60 to 70 percent of the time." Generally, this person is someone who has some type of authority over the child. Researchers point out that pedophiles seek out professions and volunteer opportunities that place them in situations where contact with children is inevitable. Recidivism is not easy to tally, but an accepted range spells out that 10 percent to 50 percent of acknowledged pedophiles will reoffend.

It is unclear why professionals in the entertainment industry - who come in contact with children and underage actors on a regular basis - are not required to undergo criminal background checks.

Sources

Reuters: "Award-winning composer arraigned on child pornography charges"

News Observer: "Child porn effort snares 25"

L.A. Times: "Casting assistant's past prompts calls for screening"

Mayo Clinic: "A Profile of Pedophilia: Definition, Characteristics of Offenders, Recidivism, Treatment Outcomes, and Forensic Issues"