A Step in the Right Direction

I saw this Twitter post today

There are so many people out there who get addicted to viewing CSAM and there are numerous ways one can become addicted to it too.

It could be a coping mechanism for someone who has been/being abused, it could be due to your sexual preference combined with a lack of legal sexual outlets, you can even become addicted to looking for CSAM images of yourself to make sure they’re not spread online.

This post is just my personal opinion but I think its good to see that alternative & modern solutions (albeit controversial) are starting to be put forward and it just goes to show that Prostasia is ahead of its time, especially with articles like these :smiley:

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Just popping in to say that there is never an excuse for the viewing/consumption of CP/CSAM. Whether or not someone is viewing such materials to cope with abuse or not is irrelevant to that fact, and myself and @prostasia STRONGLY support prohibitions of it in all forms, including mere possession. The commoditization of a real child being sexually exploited or abused is never something society ought to allow.

The “noncarceral approach” to dealing with CSAM is one of rehabilitation, not one of tolerance or approval, and those who exhibit recidivist or high risk characteristics are stark reminders for why such heavy penalties should remain.

Simulated/virtual pornography, where no real minors were involved in any way, should be the right option with regard to outlets, as well as child-like sex dolls.

Cartoons, drawings, distinguishable CG renderings, and VR solutions are valid and safe outlets for MAPs to explore and express themselves without any harm.
This is because from the very beginning of their respective production processes, to the very end, no real child was ever involved, even with respect to cartoons/drawings (lolicon/shotacon). This aspecr of each respective production pipeline is precisely why they are not able to be considered “child sex abuse materials”.

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I agree with Chie.

That report comes from a country that counts cartoons as CSAM. I suspect the author refers to images that are not products of abuse.

I wish they would incorporate terms that made distinguishing possible. To claim that differences don’t matter is dismissive.

The article discusses how self generated CSAM has become an issue. I was unaware that some preteens have gotten into the act. Parents need to get involved.

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Considering that 70% of CSAM viewers started looking at illegal content as a minor (40% under the age of 13), I hesitate to say that they’re “too far gone.” A lot of these people made bad or misinformed choices as a kid or were groomed into seeking out abusive content and need help to make better decisions as an adult. Also worth noting that 62% of viewers tried to stop viewing illegal content at least once and 33% wanted help to achieve it but were unable to find the support they needed. If we want to hold people accountable for their actions, we need to start by giving them a fighting chance to do better.

All sources provided here

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The one factor in all creation of it and human trafficking is making it NOT profitable. The money is still worth the risk for most of the people engaging in these things. Same as the drug trade. Take away the money for it and none of it is worth the risks. It won’t be available. Of course stemming the demand for such things is also a big part of these problems.

There’s still alot of “ancient” CSAM drifting around he web and still being traded. Take 90% of it away and the casual surfer won’t be bothered for all the trouble of finding it. I mean, think about it. Much of it are kids that are likely now in their 50s or older and some have probably died from disease and age related problems already. Your looking at someone’s history who could be dead already. How sick is that?

We see punishment doesn’t deter those people. Poverty and profit is the motivator for the creation of it and the human trafficking. And likely the real monsters when it comes to sex with minors. THOSE people should be severely punished! Look at the recent cases of girls smuggled over the border with 47 different DNA samples in them. Sick!

As far as the viewer in possesion of “ancient” CSAM, I think they deserve a chance at redemption. IMO, if someone has old, deleted files that it took a forensic team to find, realize they’ve come to terms that it was wrong and have moved on. And spend our investagative resources where they belong. On the problem of creators/abusers, and traffickers.