Possession of non-photographic visual depictions of child sexual abuse
The Home Office is currently carrying out a consultation on non-photographic visual depictions of child sexual abuse.
This consultation paper outlines the concerns about non-photographic visual depictions of child sexual abuse, i.e. computer generated images (CGIs), drawings, animation, etc, and seeks views on proposals to make its possession an offence.
Under current law it is an offence to possess indecent photographs (including videos) and pseudo-photographs of children. However, it is not an offence to possess non-photographic visual depictions of child sexual abuse. The police and children’s welfare groups report a growing increase in interest in these images, including an increase in websites advertising this sort of explicit material.
Police and children’s welfare groups are concerned that these images could fuel the abuse of real children by reinforcing abusers’ inappropriate feelings towards children. These images, particularly as they are often in a cartoon or fantasy style format, could be used in 'grooming' or preparing children for sexual abuse.
Under current law owners of these explicit images could not be prosecuted for their possession, nor could the images be forfeited by the authorities.
The purpose of this paper is to seek a wide range of views on the issues set out in the document and in particular the proposal to make the possession of these images an offence.
The closing date for responses to the consultation is 22 June 2007.
Police and children’s welfare groups are concerned that these images could fuel the abuse of real children by reinforcing abusers’ inappropriate feelings towards children. These images, particularly as they are often in a cartoon or fantasy style format, could be used in 'grooming' or preparing children for sexual abuse.
Under current law owners of these explicit images could not be prosecuted for their possession, nor could the images be forfeited by the authorities.
The purpose of this paper is to seek a wide range of views on the issues set out in the document and in particular the proposal to make the possession of these images an offence.
The closing date for responses to the consultation is 22 June 2007.
Click here to see a parliamentary question on child abuse (cartoon) asked in House of Commons 23 November 2006
Page Created: Tue, May 8th, 2007
Page Modified: Tue, May 8th, 2007
