The New Zealand Parole Board has confirmed that Graeme Murray Purvis, 47 of Dunedin and a recidivist child sex abuser will be released this week.

Purvis who has a history of child abuse has served his three year sentence resulting from a conviction in 2009 for possession and distribution of child sex abuse images and attempting to groom and rape a teenage girl.

This is his third jail conviction for similar offences and he has rejected any rehabilitation to address his offending.

ECPAT Child ALERT Director Alan Bell is concerned. “This offender has a history of child sex abuse related cases and is considered to still be a risk out in the community. By declining the opportunity to receive help he demonstrates a lack of determination to avoid offending again. Our organisation works to prevent the sexual exploitation of children and whilst we realise the offenders who serve their time should be encouraged to become responsible members of the community in this case we fear repeat offences.”

The Court has imposed conditions that will remain for six months following release. These include not using a computer or other electronic equipment capable of connecting to the Internet; residing at an approved address; not contacting previous victims and not being in contact with those under the age of 16 years.

Bell states “These restrictions will help but will obviously be very difficult to monitor. It would not be too difficult to escape detection in breaking these. Also the restrictions are lifted after six months anyway and this is not a long period of time. Our interest is not in persecuting the offender – it is purely to ensure our children are protected. This includes in real time and in virtual time. In a case where the offender shows no interest in recovery by his own co-operation it would seem wise to impose some form of monitoring to ensure every step is taken to prevent him from offending again.”

ECPAT Child ALERT is a registered charitable trust working to prevent the sexual exploitation of children.

ENDS

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