The New York Times reported today on an as yet unreleased government report, which found that 85% of offenders convicted of possessing child pornography have also sexually abused children. The number was previously thought to be closer to 40%.
The study found that there were actually 1,777 victims as opposed to the 75 that were identified when the men were sentenced. Some have believe that looking at child pornography would satisfy desires - not the case according to one pedophile. "Because there is no way I can look at a picture of a child on a video screen and not get turned on by that and want to do something about it . . . I knew it in my heart . . . it was going to happen." Viewing pornography drove their actions.
We must assume that the effects are the same for adult pornography - individuals who become addicted want to act it out, and often end up searching for more aggressive and more depraved material.
The study was conducted by psychologists from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The release has been delayed because there are concerns that the data will be misrepresented. Some are afraid that it will unfairly paint individuals who download child pornography as all being molesters.
Others argue there is a great need for the data. "We're really on the cusp of learning more about these individuals and studies should be encouraged, not quashed" said Dr. Peter Collins of the Forensic Psychiatry Unit of the Ontario Provincial Police.
This study should not only spark further investigations to understand child sex offenders and users of child pornography, but the attitudes and behaviors of pornography users.
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