Don't Cover Up Link Between Child Porn and Molesting
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An FRC
Action Update
July 19, 2007
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The New York Times today reports on a study
that documents the link--well-known to prosecutors with
experience in the field--between the use of child pornography
and actual child sexual abuse. Psychologists at the Federal
Bureau of Prisons studied 155 prisoners who had been sentenced
for possession or distribution of child pornography and
had volunteered for treatment. At sentencing, only 26%
were known to have been active child molesters--but in
confidential surveys, a shocking 85% admitted to abusing
at least one child.
Furthermore, at sentencing 75 victims
had been identified among these molesters--but in the
surveys, they identified a shocking 1,777 victims. This
study was accepted for publication by the Journal of
Family Violence--but then withdrawn at the request of
higher-ups in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. They reportedly
were concerned that incarcerated offenders in treatment
might not actually be representative of all child pornography
users, but such a basic caveat about the study's sample
is no reason not to publish the data. Similar research
on the relationship of illegal adult pornography to
sex crimes would also be useful. This is further evidence
that pornography is no "victimless" crime
and should be a high priority for law enforcement. If
the Bureau of Prisons has a gag order on this study,
the Department of Justice should lift it.
Additional Resources
New York Times: "Debate
on Child Pornography's Link to Molesting"
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