Child Pornography: - Center for Problem-Oriented Policing

especially legal considerations in obtaining search warrants, the proper handling of computer
equipment and stored communications, and the use of privileged and confidential
communications. 552
The unique nature of these crimes raises special challenges including identifying perpetrators
who rarely commit offenses in public; completing the proactive, often undercover,
work needed to successfully investigate child-pornography cases; and ensuring child victims
receive timely and comprehensive services. 553
In addition educating the general public or those with influence on public opinion can
also improve the prevention of and response to child pornography. For instance media portrayal
of children is possibly contributing to the problem of child sexual abuse by condoning
the use of children in inappropriate sexual contexts. 554 The depiction of children as sexual
objects in advertising and the popular press desensitizes the public by subtly confirming and
setting new standards for what is acceptable. 555
Expand Prevention and
V ictim-Services Programs
Law enforcement should work diligently to identify all child victims and provide them with
services and other assistance. While investigators frequently identify children who are depicted
in child pornography or are otherwise sexually exploited, not all law-enforcement
agencies have in-house or referral-based, victim-services programs. Furthermore few jurisdictions
have programs in place to provide specialized services to these young victims. 556
Multidisciplinary efforts should include collaboration with treatment providers. Children
and families affected by child pornography should be encouraged to receive professional
counseling especially those who do not have effective support networks through family, friends,
and/or other activities. The individual needs of sexually exploited children will vary case-bycase.
Nevertheless such victim services as forensically sound and child-friendly interviews,
emergency placement, crisis intervention, and medical attention are offered by selected model
programs including the FBI's SAFE team. 557 Specialized treatment and opportunities to redirect
sexually exploited youth should also be pursued. 558
In addition many exploited youth are still somehow involved in school although not
always full-time or in traditional settings. School may therefore be an effective place to reach
at-risk youth with prevention programs 559 to deter children from becoming involved in sexual
exploitation. Parents, teachers, and professionals who come into contact with children at risk
of exploitation should receive training to recognize their potential for involvement in pornography.
Teachers, counselors, and other staff members in school settings should also receive
comprehensive training on prevention strategies and appropriate responses to suspected cases
of sexual exploitation. Youth education programs such as DARE should incorporate Internet
awareness training for students and parents. It may also be effective to include messages
about sexual exploitation as part of larger public-health initiatives targeting other risky behaviors
such as smoking, drinking, or unprotected sex. 560
CHILD PORNOGRAPHY: THE CRIMINAL-JUSTICE-SYSTEM RESPONSE - 57