1.2 CSAM and its consequences: Part 1
What does CSAM include?
CSAM includes images, videos, live-streaming, and any other material that depicts sexual acts with a child. CSAM also includes material that shows a child in a sexually suggestive or explicit manner partially clothed, or nude, and can include material that does or does not illustrate sexual activity (see COPINE scale next).
This program does not use the term ‘child pornography,’ as this does not accurately reflect what is being portrayed in the material.
The COPINE Scale categorization
There are different ways to categorize and describe CSAM. In this program we use the COPINE scale which focuses on the content of the images. See COPINE scale (below) for the types of images of sexual content in images of children (CSAM).
The scale from 1-10 was developed against the background of images collected from the internet and newsgroups. This version of the COPINE scale has been adapted from the original COPINE scale by Protect Children senior specialists.
- Everyday images
Images in which children are in underwear or bathing suits in everyday situations and environments. Children have not been photographed for sexual purposes. - Nude or art images
Images of nude or partially nude children. These images include studio photos, artistic or other nude pictures of children. Children have not been photographed for sexual purposes. - Voyeuristic images
Covertly photographed images of partially dressed children. The images portray children in everyday situations and environments, for example at the playground, at the beach or engaged in a hobby. The images are often focused on the crotch or chest area of the child. - Posing images
Purposefully produced sexualizing images of fully clothed, partially nude, or nude children. Children are often dressed in adult lingerie or other accessories not suitable for the child’s age and developmental stage. - Sexualizing posing images
Purposefully produced nude or partially nude sexualizing images of children. Children are posed in sexualizing positions, for example with their legs spread or their buttocks raised, or in adult lingerie, high heels or in other accessories. - Strongly sexualizing posing images
Purposefully produced strongly sexualizing images of children, where the focus is the child’s genital area or anus. Children are ordered to pose with their legs spread or their buttocks raised, their genital area either visible or partially covered. - Images portraying sexual violence without an adult
Images in which one or more children are portrayed without adults. The images depict sexual violence, such as touching of the genital area, masturbation or penetration. - Images portraying sexual violence
Images where an adult touches the child’s body / genital area, or where the child touches the adult’s body / genital area. - Images portraying gross sexual violence
Images which portray sexual violence inflicted upon a child by an adult, through for example touching of the genital area, penetration, or rape of the child. Images depicting sexual violence including the use of instruments. - Images portraying sadistic and brutal sexual violence
Images, where a child is being subjected to sexual violence, including other physical violence. Gross rape of a child. Pain is being inflicted on the child, for instance by binding, hitting, whipping, or involving bestiality. The use of animals or instruments may be present.
The child’s perspective
The use of CSAM is harmful. It is harmful for you as the user, and it is especially harmful for the child victims of sexual violence depicted in the materials you watch.
It is necessary to understand that children are re-victimized every time material is shared, which sustains the abuse in a continuous cycle. The images are not just images – there is actual harm to real children in viewing, using, and re-using the images. Understanding the consequences of your actions will motivate you to take concrete steps to change your behavior.
All sexual acts related to children, including any use of CSAM, are never within the boundaries of free sexual expression, and as such are never justified. This is because children are vulnerable and need special care and protection, and they are unable to legally consent to any sexual acts.
Behind the images, a real child is being abused and exploited behind the camera. Each time the images are shared, the child is revictimized. Children cannot consent and under no circumstances is the child a willing participant in their abuse.
There are many important perspectives on the use
We have now reached the first exercise of the ReDirection self-help program.
There are a number of perspectives on the use of CSAM, including your own perspective, the perspective of the victim (the child), and the perspective of society as a whole.
Reflect on the following questions and write down your answers:
- What do you think of persons who use CSAM? How do you justify your own use of CSAM?
- What might the child think of the persons watching CSAM depicting him/her?
- What might others, your friends/family/colleagues think of persons who use CSAM?
Now that you have tried to look at the use of CSAM from different perspectives, is there a perspective that you find more reasonable and realistic?
What about sexual preferences?
All individuals experience sexuality in different ways and sexual preferences may be directed towards different subjects. We may be sexually attracted to people of different genders and ages.
Individuals have the right to express their sexuality freely, so long as in doing so they do not violate the law or the rights of others.
Remember
Having sexual preferences and acting upon them are two entirely separate things.
In fact, it is possible to feel sexual attraction towards children, and not act on this attraction.
Many people are able to take this step without professional help. But some may need support in the process. This program is intended to provide such support. What we think might be helpful is, that it is important to understand the harmful effects of CSAM-use and learn how you can change your behavior by changing your thoughts and emotions.
