22.05.2025 11:50
An English tourist, Douglas Robert Brooks, has been arrested in Namibia on charges of sexual abuse against local San tribe children. Brooks is accused of attempting to persuade 33 children to participate in nude photo shoots and inappropriate contact by offering them candy. He faces charges of rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse, and violation of personal rights. This incident has sparked new discussions regarding tourism safety in sensitive cultural areas.
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65-year-old British tourist Douglas Robert Brooks was arrested in Namibia on charges of sexual abuse against local San tribe children.
The details of the incident are shocking. Brooks was detained on Sunday at the Ju'/Hoansi Living Museum near Grashoek. According to police sources, the suspect attempted to persuade 33 children to engage in nude photography and inappropriate contact by offering them candy.
The prosecution has brought 38 separate charges against Brooks under Namibia's 2015 Child Protection Act. These charges include rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse, and violation of personal rights.
Brooks entered Namibia on May 15 and reached the area inhabited by the San tribe after a six-hour journey from the capital, Windhoek. The museum he visited is one of seven cultural centers established by the German-Namibian Living Culture Foundation to preserve San traditions.
These centers allow visitors to observe the traditional hunting techniques, fire dances, and handicrafts of the San people. However, the museum management warns tourists not to give candy to children due to the lack of dental health services.
In a statement from the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism, it was said, "These allegations are a serious violation of our child protection laws. The exploitation of local children by tourists is absolutely unacceptable. We appreciate the swift intervention of the Namibian police."
Brooks, who was ordered to be held in custody by Judge Abraham Abraham, will appear in court on June 19. It is still unclear whether he will be transferred to the main prison.
The San people are considered the oldest indigenous community in Southern Africa. Known for their unique form of speech called "click language" and superior hunting skills, the San faced significant challenges during the colonial period. Of the 30,000 San in Namibia, about 2,000 still maintain their traditional lifestyle.
This incident has also sparked new discussions about tourism safety in sensitive cultural areas.
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