NCJ Number
206309
Date Published
March 2000
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the current state of knowledge of the role pornography plays in sexual offenses against children.
Abstract
Two main research questions are addressed: (1) “to what extent do pedophiles consume pornography, particularly child pornography,” and (2) “how is pornography used by pedophiles?” A review of clinical and retrospective studies from the social science literature, as well as published anecdotal reports and expert opinions, is undertaken in order to probe the link between adult and child pornography and child sexual abuse. The literature review revealed very little empirical research on the topic, making it difficult to draw conclusions. Research concerning the use of child pornography by pedophiles has been mostly anecdotal, and the few empirical studies on the topic have been plagued by inconsistencies in definitions and problems involving sampling methods and procedures. Although anecdotal evidence suggests that some pedophiles use child pornography, there is no indication of the proportion of child molesters who use this type of material. Retrospective studies of pornography use by sex offenders suggest that a large percentage of sex offenders do use adult pornography, but comparative studies have failed to find a difference in the pornography consumption rates of sex offenders versus non-sex offenders, especially concerning the use of “soft-core” materials. The author recommends further research on the use of “hard-core” pornography before conclusions are drawn. Furthermore retrospective clinical studies have found that most sex offenders, including child sexual offenders, report minimal or no exposure to child pornography, which is a departure from the findings of anecdotal reports. However, these differences may be a function of discrepancies in the definition of child pornography. Seven main motivations were found in the literature for how pedophiles use child pornography; they include the motivations of justification, arousal, profit, preservation of victim’s youth, lower victim’s inhibition, blackmail, and medium of exchange. Most anecdotal reports on the use of pornography describe the use of these materials to disinhibit victims of abuse and as items of trade with other pedophiles. In conclusion, a direct causal link between pornography and child sexual abuse is not supported by the current state of knowledge. References