Child Sexual AbuSe ImageS - Canadian Centre for Child Protection

cybertip.ca
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In child pornography cases where the child was
identified, it was found that 35% of abusers
were the child’s relative (26% of whom were
a parent). In the majority (78%) of cases, the
abuser was known to the child (e.g. as a family
friend, neighbour, coach) and had legitimate
and prolonged access to the child (National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children, 2009).
This data represents the known relationship from
1,612 series of child abuse images (2,352 identified victims).
Child protection is of the utmost importance given that those who produce child
sexual abuse images are generally adults who care for, or have regular access
to, a child. A lack of contact with a child is probably the most significant
factor limiting the production of child pornography (Taylor and Quayle, 2002), making
opportunity a central factor in this crime.
The need to acquire new images may result in collectors sharing images with
other traders. This may then result in viewers engaging in contact offences against
children to create new material. Beyond the normalization of the deviant behaviour,
these trading networks provide acceptance, belonging, and a hierarchical culture
that promotes this harmful behaviour (Taylor and Quayle, 2002).
With the propagation of child abuse images on the Internet, there is also concern
about fantasy becoming reality; watching a sexual assault may normalize the
behaviour and encourage a viewer to subsequently commit such an assault. The
longer sexual fantasies are maintained and elaborated, the more likely it is that the
behaviour will be demonstrated in real-life. Fantasy can act as a motivator and an
opportunity to rehearse behaviour, as well as provide a way to overcome inhibitions
(Burke, Sowerbutts, Blundell and Sherry, 2002). Additionally, the capacity of pictures to generate
arousal appears to diminish over time through habituation. This results in the
continued demand for new material, and the continued abuse of children (Taylor, 2002).
Finally, pictures may facilitate contact offences with other children by desensitizing
the children (grooming) or by providing ideas of what may be done to abuse
children (Taylor and Quayle, 2002).
CASE EXAmPLE
Cybertip.ca received an anonymous report about a suspect who was posting and distributing child
pornography images and videos. A review by Cybertip.ca analysts revealed that the suspect was abusing
two children aged one and four. Through international collaboration with Interpol, the NCECC, the Sûreté du
Québec, and the Toronto Police Service, a 32-year-old male was arrested and charged with multiple counts
including sexual assault and possession and distribution of child pornography. Two young children were
removed from the abusive environment.
ChiLd SEXuAL ABuSE imAgES
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