Children has been used as sexual objects for ages. The introduction of internet, has escalated the problem of child pornography, making it instantly available to anyone with access to the internet. Most of those involved in all aspects - production, distribution and downloading of images - are motivated by financial gain and are mostly not attracted to children.
PRODUCTION involves the creation of pornographic images. Collectors place a premium on new child pornography material. Interpol has a database with known websites and images that can be traced as soon as it is accessed or downloaded.
DISTRIBUTION involves the uploading and dissemination of pornographic images by pedophile rings, organized crime groups and in many cases, is carried out by individual amateurs who seek no financial reward.
DOWNLOADING involves accessing child pornography via the Internet. Most users actively seek out pornographic websites or subscribe to a group dedicated to child pornography, as genuine child pornography is relatively rare in open areas of the Internet.
EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM
Eevidence points to this being a major and growing problem. It is estimated thatthere are more than one million pornographic images of children on the Internet, with 200 new images posted daily.
PROFILE OF USERS
There is no one type of Internet child pornography user, and there is no easy way to recognize an offender. Users of Internet child pornography are not necessarily involved in hands-on sexual abuse of children and may come from all walks of life. Most users of child pornography on the Internet are more than likely to be in a relationship, to be employed, to have an above average IQ, to be college educated, and to not have a criminal record.
Child Pornography on the Internet by Richard Wortley and Stephen Smallbone. (To read full document click here...)
