# 123 What do these photos tell us about Scott Neeson?

 Last week, on this blog, Scott Neeson (or a Scott Neeson troll writing in Neeson’s distinctive style and his tone) accused me of posting photos of ‘cute kids’ on my Facebook page. Having often accused Neeson of exploiting such images to open the hearts and wallets of sponsors and donors this accusation warrants a response and a few words about the way in which photos can be used not to reveal the truth but to perpetuate lies.

The difference between my photos and Neeson’s is that I included the entire family in my photos – including the blind father. There was no attempt on my part to isolate one child from the family; and certainly not to place that child in my arms, as Neeson does in countless photos to be found on the internet. When there is a camera around no child (particularly young girls) is safe. Neeson will pick them up, do or say whatever is required to get the child to smile or laugh, and smile himself. The subliminal impression created (and quite deliberately) is that Neeson is like a father to this child and, indeed, that she accepts him (loves him) as such. A significant part of the Neeson narrative (myth) is that he is the savior of these fatherless children. He does not say they are fatherless but never, ever do we see photos of these kids with their actual fathers.

Take the following photograph of Scott Neeson and 7 year old Sokayn, for instance – snuggled into Scott’s arms. Scott has used this and other photos of himself and Sokayn many ties but never once acknowledged that Sokayn has a father. And a mother.

Following are two photos of Sokayn’s father, Chuan, and Sokayn’s mother, Ka. It was Chuan and Ka who asked me to help them get their daughters returned to them when Scott refused to do so. This is what started the spat between Neeson and myself about ‘contracts’. Neeson insisted that Ka and Chuaj had signed a contract giving CCF complete control of Sokayn and Sokourn until they were 18. Ka and Chuan said that there was no such contract. Neeson insisted that there was but refused to produce it. 

Sokayn's dad, Chuan, and mum, Ka

The older sister, Sokourn, seen in two photos below, literally had to physically escape CCF as a result of Neeson's refusal to return her to her parents, as requested. She had been devastated at being separated from Sokayn whilst in CCF residential care. This is all well-documented for anyone interested.

Sokourn (older sister) and Sokayn at home - 10 square feet of open space with a roof made of plastic sheeting

Does the followings photos of Neeson with little girls in his arms tell us anything? (there are many such photos to be found online). No, not really. Cambodian children are affectionate and it is not culturally inappropriate for adults to have physical contact of this kind with other people’s children.

However, a double standard exists here. If photos such as these cropped up with Matt Harland, David Fletcher or any other man under suspicion of being a pedophile, they would be presented in the court of public opinion (and in courts of law) as evidence that the man must be a pedophile.

The following photo of David Fletcher has often been presented as evidence that he was grooming young girls. Why is this photo evidence of grooming whist the countless photos of Neeson with young girls are not?

Next we come to a photo of a different kind. I have been criticized many times for using this photo on my blog. It is true, the photo is not a flattering one. All of us have had photos taken of us that make us ridiculous and which we would prefer not to be on open display. However, this is not why I have used this photo before or why I am publishing it again.

There is something about the way in which this 50 year old man is holding a teenage girl that is unsettling to me. It does not seem to be to be just a spontaneous affectionate spur of the moment hug. I may be wrong and would love to know what others make of the photo, if anything.

My overarching point here, however, is that common sense suggest men in Scott Neeson’s position should not be publishing photos that validate the proposition that it is OK for young girls be picked by men – no matter how ‘nice’ the men are or appear to be. Such physical contact is part of the grooming process and should be discouraged – especially when there are cameras around. The fact that Neeson advertises this physical contact with young girls shows, in my mind, an extraordinary lack of judgment. It validates such behavior. How can Neeson/CCF warn children of the dangers of being groomed by ‘nice’ men if photos of Neeson validate such grooming techniques?

The reason why Neeson uses such photos (though he has backed off a little lately) is that they carry a subliminal message that is to be found in various forms on the CCF website: “These kids do not have father who can take care of them in the way they deserve and in the way I am prepared to.”

The fact is that pretty well all of Neeson’s 700+ kids in residential care (fake orphans) have mums and dads whose only crime is to be very very poor. Their poverty makes them very vulnerable when CCF (or any other NGO) approaches them and says, "We are here to help. All you need to do is sign on the dotted line with your thumb print"

What happens next, is so many cases, is a major scandal that isn being ignored by human rights groups and the Cambodian media alike.