NCJ Number
55686
Date Published
1978
Length
85 pages
Annotation
THIS LEGISLATIVE REPORT ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY (CP) IN TEXAS DISCUSSES THE EXTENT OF CP IN THE STATE, SOURCES AND DISTRIBUTION OF CP, SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN, AND THE JUDICIAL AND COMMUNITY RESPONSE.
Abstract
CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN TEXAS CONSISTS OF BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, FILMS, AND OTHER MATERIALS AND OFTEN FEATURES CHILDREN FORCED INTO SEXUAL ACTS. PORNOGRAPHY SALES IN TEXAS TOTAL UP TO $41.7 MILLION A YEAR. ALTHOUGH CP IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE OVER THE COUNTER, SUITS FILED IN OTHER STATES INDICATE THAT TEXAS MAIL-ORDER CP IS VOLUMINOUS. ALTHOUGH ONLY COURTS AND NOT POSTAL INSPECTORS MAY JUDGE MATERIALS OBSCENE, SENDING THEM THROUGH THE MAILS IS A FELONY. ADVICE IS GIVEN TO HELP CITIZENS STOP MAIL DELIVERIES OF OBSCENE MATERIALS. NATIONAL OR LOCAL ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS DISTRIBUTE ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE PORNOGRAPHY IN TEXAS. ALTHOUGH TEXAS LAW PROHIBITS SEXUAL ACTS WITH CHILDREN, GAPS IN THE LAW DO EXIST, PENALTIES ARE OFTEN TOO LIGHT, AND MANY SUCH CRIMES ARE NEVER REPORTED. BUT CHILDREN'S TRAUMA IS SERIOUS IN 93 PERCENT OF ALL REPORTED CASES. FINAL SECTIONS DISCUSS CHILD PROSTITUTION, DEATH OF CHILDREN THROUGH SEXUAL ABUSE, FEDERAL AND STATE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION, AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN COMBATTING CP. SINCE CP IS A FORM OF SEXUAL ABUSE, IT SHOULD BE CONTROLLED BY COOPERATION BETWEEN VARIOUS WELFARE AND POLICE AGENCIES, IMPROVED PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SPECIAL POLICE TRAINING. NUMEROUS SPECIFIC LEGAL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE INCLUDED. TABULAR DATA ARE PRESENTED. (PAP)