I p c e 

N E W S L E T T E R

 Number E 22, June 2007   

[ZIPdoc version]      

 CONTENTS   

Ipce is a forum for people who are engaged in scholarly discussion about the understanding and emancipation of mutual relationships between children or adolescents and adults.

 In this context, these relationships are intended to be viewed from an unbiased, non-judgmental perspective and in relation to the human rights of both the young and adult partners.
Ipce meets once every one or two years in a different country, publishes a newsletter and a web site, co-ordinates the (electronic) exchange of texts and keeps an archive of specific written publications.  

Introduction

Here is Ipce’s Newsletter number E(lectronic) 22, with a paper version for who has no connection with the internet. But note that the real ‘news’ are the regular updates of Ipce’s website. Insofar as these updates are connected to a theme, they are called “Ipce Magazine”, which is only in an on line version.  

As usual, this Newsletter starts with a statement, in this case a new version of a list of facts and factoids, or facts and myths, followed by an article that also lists myths and facts, especially the myths concerning the so-called sex offenders.  

Myths create panic, and panic was there when Congress member Mark Foley has had some erotic talks – no deeds - with adolescents and young adults – not children. Panic has created absurd laws (see Ipce Magazine # 1) and practices. Such an opinion is also given by Judith Levine, who concludes: “the words child and protection lose all meaning.”. In the next articles, more or less the same is said by artists, even by police chiefs, and by anarchists who, by the way, give us a splendid literature list.  

The next articles tell us that this myths, this panic and those absurd laws and rules are of no good for the children themselves, the ones they pretend to protect. Children are over-surveilled, under-protected, they have a lack of real care and hearty care givers. And exactly the two states in the world with the most absurd and severe sexuality laws are just the two worst countries in the western world for children, according to a Unesco report. Let these countries be more modest and let them review their myths and have an eye for the facts.  

Various articles will follow, all having more or less the same trend and theme. Our last speaker is a boy, saying “I'm 14, I'm gay & I want a boyfriend”.  

As usual, long lists with documentation end this Newsletter. For the readers of the paper version, the documentation list of Ipce’s Magazine # 1, all about laws, is also added, to have a complete list.  

Ipce will have no annual Meeting during this summer, but in the next autumn. The next Newsletter will be published before that meeting. In the meantime, several updates and a next Ipce Magazine will be published.  

Your secretary and webmaster,

Frans