NCJ Number
124413
Date Published
1988
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A panel of experts met in October 1987 under the sponsorship of the American Medical Association's Department of Mental Health to consider the problem of child pornography and to plan strategies both to prevent such abuse and to identify victims and perpetrators.
Abstract
In its discussion of the problem, the panel differentiated child pornography, the pictorial representation of child sexual abuse, from other forms of child abuse in that a permanent record of the abuse is created; commented on the commercial aspects of child pornography; described likely perpetrators and the seduction process; and noted the trauma for victims of publicly identifying their abusers. To plan strategies, participants focused on prevention, public education, victim detection and identification, treatment, and research needs. As primary care physicians were identified as potential "first finders" of medical problems related to sexual abuse, the panel agreed on the need for medical education on this topic in addition to working protocols to provide medical care to children at risk; both health care providers and the general public need to be made aware that the behavioral problems of children and adolescents can indicate a history of victimization. The panel emphasized that health care providers and law enforcement agents must coordinate their efforts. Participants also concurred that only those knowledgeable about issues of sexual abuse and concerns specific to pornography should treat victims of child pornography and that treatment is indicated also for the family and the community. 7 references.