Tori Eidson
Salerno
English IIH – 6
12 May 2014
Child Pornography Effects and Punishments Child pornography has become a three billion dollar annual industry. These numbers will continue to grow as Internet accessibility remains unprotected. What is often overlooked in this industry is the effect child pornography has on both parties: the victim and the offender. Offenders are given no guidance to change once they are released from prison and this only makes distributors and users of child pornography more surreptitious, not better people. Every case is different and should be carefully viewed by not only lawyers, but also psychologists. The sanctions currently in place put the transgressor locked up with little hope for reformation. The child pornography industry is a growing issue that is being overlooked, and this is evident through the lack of concern for the increase of pedophilia due to online child pornographic content, negative psychological effects on the offender and the child, and unspecific punishments in the realm of child pornography.
Child Pornography Leads to Pedophilia
Viewers of child pornography are subject to becoming pedophiles and this has been neglected. Although child pornography itself does not create pedophilia, it certainly does fuel it (Bethune). In the web-savvy world of today, watching pornographic content is not something unheard of; it is even socially accepted. In the mind of a viewer, what difference does it make if the person displayed is not of age? This is where the problem lies. Lines become blurred in the mind of an offender and viewing videos triggers an impulse to create their own child pornography. In addition, the increasing number of material in this industry should also be brought to light. More material indicates that adults who were once viewers are now distributors of their own ‘work’. Today, the Internet serves as a petri dish for child pornography. It is notable that “this growing and thriving market for child-pornographic images is responsible for fresh child sexual abuse” in the sphere of child pornographic distribution (Kiesbye). Where there is smoke there is a fire, and that is definitely the case with some of these child pornography viewers. Although perpetrators may originally have no intent of harming a child, one thing leads to another. A viewer may start with adult videos and become bored; in turn they watch something containing a much younger demographic. Bored yet again, some viewers may even turn to the hands-on creation of these videos. At this point, crime goes from noncontact to sexual abuse. The act is not safe and these adults are not mentally stable. A study shows that 35 to 40 percent of those arrested for pornography possession are also hands-on abusers (Bethune). This is a startling percentage of men and women who are not only viewers but also direct contact offenders. The lack of attention on this subject of child pornography is astonishing and the public needs to become more aware of the issue.
Psychological Effects on Both Parties In the world of child pornography, both the victim and the offender are affected by the offense of possession and creation of child pornography. Those who lust over a sexualized image of a child are sick; instead of simply sending them to prison, why not get them help? (Michel). The victim is not the only one hurt in the viewing of sexualized images of children. Being sexually attracted to an image of a child diverges from our natural instinct; offenders need therapy as well as castigation. In no way should the crime committed be downplayed, but the government should work towards stopping these people from repeating their actions instead of simply hindering them from committing the crime for the years that they are in prison. Many of these people are husbands, wives and parents who have families that are left broken without hope for their loved one’s rehabilitation. Some say that every man should receive equal discipline,