But why did Amazon sell it in the first place and defend it’s right to do so?

Collective Shout co-founder Melinda Tankard Reist had this piece published today on ABC’s The Drum. It can also be found on her blog.

Why is Amazon promoting sexual abuse of children?

After a global protest and threats of boycott, online bookseller Amazon removed The Pedophile’s Guide to Love & Pleasure: A Child-Lover’s Code of Conduct from its site yesterday.

The book endorses sexual crimes against children.

The e-book by Phillip R Greaves, which was available for Amazon’s Kindle electronic reader, is an instructional manual which teaches paedophiles how to break the law so as to avoid getting, caught or so as to attract “liter [sic] sentences” if they are caught.

In using the term “pedosexuals”, the book asserts that the sexual abuse of children (often their own children) is simply a sexual preference. The “idea” is that paedophiles are a misunderstood sexual minority who “love” children. The book compares the plight of paedophiles to the plight of Jews in World War II. This is a deadly idea that covers up the reality of what is being promoted: the rape of children.

The book advises on how to find products similar to condoms for “boys younger than thirteen”. It gives advice on the best way to use images of children as “masturbation material”. It suggests the use of “any children you have actually been with, in the past” to fantasise about. In its initial statement, Amazon said it “believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable. Amazon does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts, however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchase.”

Yet Amazon’s own policies prohibit content of certain kinds, including “offensive material”, as well as content that “may lead to the production of an illegal item or illegal activity”.

Perhaps teaching men how to rape children and get away with it just wasn’t offensive enough? Read more on Melinda’s blog.

See Melinda discussing Amazon and the ‘Pedophile’s guide’ on the Morning Show

Take Action!

• If you have an Amazon account, close it today and tell Amazon why you are doing so.
• Encourage others to boycott Amazon. Even though they have removed this particular book, they still sell similar books, such as ‘Understanding Loved boys and boy lovers.’
• Share this article with your friends on social networks, encourage them to do the same.
• We must have zero tolerance for those who support and promote child abuse/rape, choose a different book seller this holiday season.