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Advocacy Group Demands Action on Child Pornography After Arrest of Darren Wilken

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Picture: Etienne Creux

Advocacy group Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) has called for urgent national dialogue on the fight against child sexual exploitation following the arrest of 35-year-old Darren Wilken. Wilken, apprehended in Midrand last Friday, is linked to a transnational sex crime syndicate.

Wilken was arrested after a raid uncovered electronic devices containing child sexual abuse material, large sums of cash, and drugs. He is due to make his second court appearance on January 28 at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.

Luke Lamprecht, WMACA’s advocacy manager, emphasized the need to shift the terminology surrounding these crimes.

“We must stop calling this ‘child pornography.’ That term minimizes the horror. It’s not about sexualizing children—it’s about their brutalization. Children cannot consent to such acts,” Lamprecht said.

Miranda Jordan, WMACA’s founding director, highlighted the ongoing trauma faced by child victims.

“These crimes aren’t just about images or videos. They’re about real children enduring unimaginable suffering. The digital existence of this content ensures that their trauma never ends,” Jordan said.

Jordan also raised concerns about whether South African law enforcement agencies have the resources to identify and rescue victims.

Wilken’s arrest echoes Operation Cloud 9, a 2015 Interpol-led initiative that exposed a global child exploitation network. Similar patterns of abuse and trafficking were uncovered, raising alarm about the persistence of these syndicates.

Chief Inspector Tim van Eester of Antwerp, Belgium, once described the materials uncovered in Operation Cloud 9 as “pure evil.” Jordan noted that Wilken’s case demonstrates these networks are still active and thriving, exploiting children for profit.

Jordan stressed the importance of holding offenders accountable and rescuing victims.

“With 21 arrests in the last two years related to child sexual abuse materials, South Africa remains a key battleground in combating online sexual exploitation. Wilken’s arrest is only the beginning—the real justice lies in rescuing victims and dismantling these networks,” she said.

WMACA continues to advocate for stronger child protection measures and better resources for law enforcement to tackle the growing threat of online exploitation.

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