Standing on the Wall

Today I was discussing the recent work by the New Zealand Police in bring a number of people up on charges for their part in an international pedophile ring. While I’ll save you from the details (you can do your own reading using this article as a starting point), some of the alleged offenses are pretty horrific. Suffice it to say, the conversation quickly turned to how soul-destroying it must be for the OCEANZ team and organisations such as ECPAT.

The following quote from the movie “A Few Good Men” sprang to mind as we discussed what it would be like to be part of such an operation – Please take a little time to read it, and reflect on the unseen heroes who work so hard to make our digital worlds a safer place.

“Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. […] I have more responsibility here than you could possibly fathom. […] You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. […] I know deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you don’t want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. […] I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then question the manner in which I provide it. I prefer you said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand to post. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you are entitled to!”

[Jack Nicholson, as Colonel Jessup in A Few Good Men]

I know I would have a very hard time doing what the OCEANZ team do, and I have nothing but respect and admiration for the men and women who put themselves out there to protect the exploited.