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The phenomenon of child pornography
1.4.1.3 Functions of child abuse material for perpetrators
As far as perpetrators are concerned, the production, distribution and possession of child abuse material
can perform various functions. It may involve the production and/or possession for the individual
him/herself, or making contact with other perpetrators, or with victims. This illustrates that material
can also serve as a means or as a goal within the context of other offences such as coercion, grooming
and trafficking in human beings.
Individual perpetrators
The viewing of abusive films or images may serve to elicit sexual arousal and provide gratification. 227
Another function for the individual user of child pornography is that viewing material may provide
some justification or serve as a neutralisation technique with regard to an individual’s own sexual
preference for children. 228 If the children who are depicted are not crying or otherwise showing a
negative emotion, it may create the impression that the children are involved in the sexual conduct
‘voluntarily’ and/or are experiencing pleasure from it, but also that the individual’s behaviour is
normal, in view of the fact that many other individuals are also involved in child abuse material.
The production of material may also serve as a ‘souvenir’ of sexual abuse of children in the past. 229
In addition, the collection and organisation of images into collections and finding missing images
within a series may serve an important function within the lives of perpetrators. 230 The time that an
individual devotes to collecting child abuse material in the virtual world can also provide a means
of escaping from unfulfilling relationships in the analogue world. 231 <strong>Child</strong> abuse material can even
have a therapeutic effect, in that the collection of material can serve as a release for emotions such
as anger, or as a means for individuals with a sexual preference for children to discover their sexual
identity. 232
Perpetrators in contact with one another
<strong>Child</strong> abuse material is also used as a means of communication, profit, exchange or access between
perpetrators. 233 For example, the distribution and display of material to others give rise to mutual trust
and as far as perpetrators are concerned this demonstrates to one another that they share the same
interest. In this way, child abuse material facilitates social relationships between perpetrators. 234 The
material may also provide access to perpetrator networks and provides a means of receiving new images
or financial payment. 235
227 Taylor & Quayle, 2003, p.23; Lanning, 2010, p.90.
228 O’Donnell & Milner, 2007, p.86.
229 O’Donnell & Milner, 2007, p.86.
230 Taylor & Quayle, 2003, p.83-86.
231 Taylor & Quayle, 2003, pp.89-90.
232 Taylor & Quayle, 2003, pp.90-91.
233 O’Donnell & Milner, 2007, p.87.
234 Taylor & Quayle, 2003, pp.86-89.
235 Lanning, 2010, p.91. A thriving commercial industry in child erotica (also) exists. There is a constant
demand in the Netherlands for child erotica and pre-adolescent model websites capitalise
on this, see www.google.com/insights/search/#q=%22preteen%20torrent%22%2C%22preteen%20
bbs%22%2Cpreeteen%20model%2Cpreteen&cmpt=q (viewed 24 May 2011).
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