A bill introduced in the Alaska Legislature aims to do away with the term “child pornography” and replace it with the more accurate phrase, “child sexual abuse material.”
Introduced by Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer), House Bill 265 is part of a larger movement across the nation, in which local governments and law enforcement agencies are updating the terms used to describe one of the most heinous crimes.
Child Rescue Coalition is one of the leading organizations pushing the name change. The group collaborates with law enforcement agencies around the world to rescue children and apprehend child abusers in real time.
“When children are involved, it’s not child pornography. It’s sexual abuse, and it’s a crime,” said Simon Bailey, Director of Strategic Engagement of Child Rescue Coalition.
The organization’s website notes that the use of language is important when protecting children.
“We recognize that ‘child pornography’ is unfortunately still a legal definition used in charging perpetrators in the U.S., but we’d like to change that,” the website states. “Children do not choose to engage in this horrific treatment, nor do they deserve to have it filmed, distributed, and watched repeatedly by sick perpetrators. This becomes the single worst moment of their lives, and they are forever traumatized. We believe evidence of their sexual abuse is not ‘pornography,’ it’s Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).”
According to Child Rescue Coalition, the rationale behind using different words is that the term “child pornography” can trivialize the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
“Some actually believe the use of the words ‘child pornography’ benefits child sex abusers because it: Indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim, and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; Conjures images of children posing in provocative positions, rather than suffering horrific sexual abuse,” the group’s website states.
TAKING ACTION
— House Bill 265 has been scheduled for its first hearing on Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. in the House State Affairs Committee. Testimony is by invitation only, but the meeting will be teleconferenced on Gavel to Gavel.
— Click here to contact the members of the House State Affairs Committee.
8 Comments
You’ve got to be kidding! Lawlessness has led to all out insanity!
““Children do not choose to engage in this horrific treatment, nor do they deserve to have it filmed, distributed, and watched repeatedly by sick perpetrators. ” This is very true! I hope they are successful in changing this term to reflect what is really happening.
That’s a good choice. We need to protect children and jail the perps.
Replacing a two-word legal description with a four-word one makes sense?
EVERYONE knows child pornography is a form of child abuse.
Dunleavy’s definition of prolife: how many cranes do you see in Alaska!!!
How can you make such a cold hearted comment on such a serious criminal subject? You must not be a True Alaskan! We value our Children with our Lives.
If your response is to me , you need to watch dunleavy’s state of the state speech where he says it clearly, concisely, and with a cold hearted demeanor!
It is a serious crime that strips children of their innocence. There is never consent from a Minor Child. Child Pornography is not a good description of this Depraved Crime.