Child+Pornography


 * Child Pornography **

** Child Pornography ** defined by US Federal law refers //to “youth under the age of 18// //as a ‘child’ and includes in it////s definition of child pornography photographs and films of conduct that are sexually explicit”// (Klain, Davies, & Hicks, 2001). In films, it is child pornography if the production of visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct or is a digital image, computer image or computer generated image that is or is indistinguishable from that of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. ( Wells, 2007) defines sexually explicit conduct as including: “sexual intercourse, be stialilty, masturbation and ‘lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area” Since there are statutory variations among state and national definitions of child pornography, there are also some challenges related to determining the ages of young people depicted in images which can create obstacles for law enforcement (Wells, Finkelhor, Wolack, &Mitchell, 2007). Child pornography is illegal to knowingly possess, manufacture, distribute or access with the intent of viewing. ** The History of Child Pornography ** Some may argue that child pornography has existed prior to the emergence of the technology while others may argue that child pornography may not exist if these advancements weren’t made. Child pornography began to emerge due to technological advancements such as the internet and world-wide web. The internet is a network of interconnected computers used primarily for commerce, communication, and information exchange (Casanova, 2000). Internet capabilities has allowed millions of people access to so much information but people have often misused these capabilities to access explicit images of children with intentions of gaining some form of pleasure or arousal. The internet can allow online possessors to download child pornography and distribute images to other consumers. The global spread of the internet has lead to at least 20 countries to impose controls on the internet-to limit the spread of either sexually explicit material or ideas considered dangerous, or both. (Casanova, 2000). The internet has also opened up new opportunities for investigation and evidence collecting in child sex crimes by law enforcement. Child pornographers have made it much easier to get themselves caught in these sex crimes because computer technology can provide law enforcement agents with the resources and databases to collect forensic evidence of such crimes leading to an arrest. ** Child Pornography Laws /Dilemmas ** The Child Pornography Prevention Act of 1996, congress sought to prohibit images that are or appear to be “of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct” or are “advertised, promoted, presented, described or is or contains a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct (US GAO, 2003). There have been many attempts to prosecute child pornographers but there has been a debate about the scope and meaning of child pornography. Child pornography can be distinguished from protected pornography and proscribed obscenity by laws identifying real children as the subjects of graphic depictions, and as the victims of purveyors. ** What possesses these sex of **** fen **** ders? ** Child pornography possessors have been found to have various reasons for having interest in child pornography even though they know it’s wrong and they may face federal consequences. It is found that child pornographers use child pornography “to validate their sexual interest in children, to groom children, & lower their inhibitions, or to blackmail victims or other offenders”(Klain et al.,2001;Tyler & Stone, 1983). Others may be motivated to collect child pornography out of curiosity or for sexual arousal and stimulation. The Social cognitive theory could be applied to why sex offenders/ adults pursue child pornography. For example, “To Catch a Predator” is a well known Show televised and is hosted by Chris Hanson. Chris Hanson works with law enforcement to investigate what could be potential child pornography, and other manipulated laws that prohibit adults from involving in sexual activities with minors. When many men are arrested, they may claim: “I knew it was wrong”, “I knew it was a set up. I was coming to tell her that she shouldn’t engage in such activities” when in actuality they didn’t. Many of these offenders have seen Dateline’s “To Catch a Predator” have observed these behaviors of other pedophiles, learn the behaviors thinking they could get away with it, then perform them facing the harsh consequences. ** Example of an Notoriously known Child Pornography Case ** ** Statistics ** > he 12 months starting July 1, 2000 (Wolak, Mitchell, & Finkelhor, 2003). Ambrogi, Stefano, Initials. (2009). Child porn websites fall but more work needed | reuters. //Business & Financial News, Breaking US & International News | Reuters.com//. Casanova, M. F., Solursh, D., Solursh, L., Roy, E., & Thigpen, L. (2000). The History of Child Pornography on the Internet. //Journal of Sex Education & Therapy//, 25(4), 245-251. Retrieved from EBSCO//host//. File-Sharing Programs: Child Pornography Is Readily Accessible over Peer-to-Peer Networks: GAO-03-537T. (2003). //GAO Reports//, 1. Retrieved from EBSCO//host//. http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-03- 537T Klain, E. J., Davies, H. J., & Hicks, M. A. (2001). //Child pornography: The criminal-justice-system response.// Alexandria, VA: American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. "Missing Children Website." //National Center for Missing and Exploited Children//. Web. 1 Apr. 2011. http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US Paul, B. (2007). //The effects of exposure to virtual child pornography on viewer cognitions and attitudes toward defiant sexual behavior.// Sage Publications. "R. Kelly Arrested in Child Porn Case - CNN." //Featured Articles from CNN//. 06 June 2002. Web. 3 Apr. 2011. . Wells, M., Finkelhor, D., Wolak, J., & Mitchell, K. J. (2007). Defining child pornography: law enforcement dilemmas in investigations of internet child pornography possession. . //Police Practice & Research//, //8(3)//, 269-282. http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=6d81afc3-4f97-4c1f-9f17-a85491cf694a%40sessionmgr13&vid=4&hid=123
 * 1)  In the US, law enforcement made an estimated 1,713 arrests for internet-related crimes that involved the possession child pornography during t -The 2002 R. Kelly Child Pornography Case: A video was released of R&B singer having sex with an underage girl who at the time was 14 years of age. He was later found not guilty of the charges.
 * 1) A study conducted by GAO (General Accounting Office) found that in one search using 12 keywords known to be associated with child pornography on the internet, 1,286 titles and file names, and identified 543(about 42%) were associated with child pornography images. (US GAO Office, 2003).
 * 2) In a study of 1,713 people arrested for the possession of child pornography in a 1-year period, the possessors ran the gamut in terms of income, education level, marital status, and age. Virtually all of those who were arrested were men, 91% were white, and most were unmarried at the time of their crime, either because they had never married (41%) or because they were separated, divorced, or widowed (21%)
 * 3) In most child pornography cases, children were sexually abused or exposed by someone that they knew such as a family member, parent, teacher etc.Works Cited