The Future Group Calls for Investigation Under Canada's Child Sex Tourism
Laws
CALGARY, Feb. 2 /CNW/ - The Future Group has just learned that Richard
Beaulac, a 35-year-old man from Quebec has been charged in Cambodia with the
attempted rape of a 13 year-old girl, who was a street beggar.
The Cambodian Daily has reported that Beaulac entered Cambodia on
January 1 and has been working in the tourist town of Siem Reap as an English
Teacher.
Beaulac allegedly picked up the 13-year old girl and three other female
street children and took them back to his apartment at 4 a.m. on Sunday
morning, according to Sun Bunthang, provincial anti-human trafficking police
chief.
According to the Cambodia Daily, Beaulac allegedly sent three of the
girls away before molesting the remaining girl, and told police that he and
the girl lay naked on the bed but denies molesting her. The girl is currently
in the care of the Cambodia Women's Crisis Centre. Beaulac has been charged by
the Siem Reap Provincial Court with attempted rape.
"We are calling on the Canadian government to investigate the serious
allegation against this individual, and if they are substantiated to lay
charges under Canada's child sex tourism laws," said Sabrina Sullivan,
Managing Director of The Future Group.
Only one person has ever been charged under Bill C-27 and C-15,
Amendments to Canadian Criminal Code criminalizing child sex tourism. That
prosecution of Donald Bakker in Vancouver is largely considered accidental,
since it only came out during the course of an investigation for offences in
Canada.
"Child sex tourists cause irreparable harm to young children abroad and
drive the multi-million dollar human trafficking industry," said Sullivan,
"Canada needs to ensure that it is part of the solution."
For the full article from the Cambodia Daily, please refer to
www.thefuturegroup.org
For further information: Sabrina Sullivan, Managing Director, The Future
Group, (403) 612-0396
