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 This study was accepted for publication by the Journal of Family Violence–but then withdrawn at the request of higher-ups in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.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”
