Child pornography concerns in video game

A video game banned in parts of Europe because of claims it contains child pornography is on sale in Tauranga - prompting concerns from sexual abuse counsellors.
Within days of the Nintendo 3DS New Zealand release of Dead or Alive: Dimensions last week the Chief Censor has called it in for classification - despite it being rated as PG.
The game retails for about $100 in New Zealand but is banned in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. It is believed to violate child pornography laws with features that enable a player to undress female characters and photograph them from any angle, including under their skirt.
It is also believed that underage girls are featured in sexualised situations in the game.
Tauranga sexual abuse counsellor advocate Denise McEnteer was "very concerned" to learn the game was available to young Western Bay people.
"If it shows young women - that you can look up their skirts - that's showing the kids that you are treating woman like objects. It really concerns me," Ms McEnteer said.
"It's voyeuristic, that really worries me. What's to stop a young man from then prying into neighbour's windows and trying to do that same kind of thing?"
Video games are not automatically classified by the Chief Censor unless they are deemed by their supplier to have restrictive material in it.
The Warehouse buying manager Stuart Yorston said inquiries from the Bay of Plenty Times was the first he had heard of the game's controversy.
The game arrived in The Warehouse stores last week and were already on shelves in local stores.
Speaking from a gaming convention Los Angeles, Mr Yorston said he doubted Nintendo would allow pornography within their games but would act on the results of the Chief Censor's classification.
The Warehouse would continue selling the game for now, Mr Yorston said.
"If the Chief Censor changes the rating or advises a withdraw from sale we will act upon this immediately."
Mr Yorston said he understood authorities in Sweden, Norway and Denmark were particularly sensitive to anyone who looked under 18 in games.
"It's a fighting game. There are two characters that go up against each other.
"We don't believe that [it's significantly objectionable] at this stage."
On the game's website a warning is displayed before a video plays, saying it "may contain content inappropriate for children".
Deputy Chief Censor Nic McCully said censors had yet to view the game but Department of Internal Affairs inspectors were tasked with inspecting the game.
The result is expected in a couple of weeks.
Ms McCully said game suppliers were obliged to make the call whether the game had "restrictive material".
In that time the game is still available for sale but suppliers might find themselves in trouble if the game is found to contain objectionable material, Ms McCully said.
Inspectors will look for sex, crime, cruelty, horror and violence.