{"id":461110,"date":"2022-06-10T12:22:52","date_gmt":"2022-06-10T09:22:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/virtual-child-sexual-abuse-material-is-almost-as-dangerous-as-the-real-thing\/"},"modified":"2022-06-10T12:22:52","modified_gmt":"2022-06-10T09:22:52","slug":"virtual-child-sexual-abuse-material-is-almost-as-dangerous-as-the-real-thing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/virtual-child-sexual-abuse-material-is-almost-as-dangerous-as-the-real-thing\/","title":{"rendered":"#Virtual child sexual abuse material is almost as dangerous as the real thing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3bf33215ed9\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3bf33215ed9\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/virtual-child-sexual-abuse-material-is-almost-as-dangerous-as-the-real-thing\/#%E2%80%9CVirtual_child_sexual_abuse_material_is_almost_as_dangerous_as_the_real_thing%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;Virtual child sexual abuse material is almost as dangerous as the real thing&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/virtual-child-sexual-abuse-material-is-almost-as-dangerous-as-the-real-thing\/#Whats_virtual_child_sexual_abuse_material_VCSAM\" >What\u2019s virtual child sexual abuse material (VCSAM)?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/virtual-child-sexual-abuse-material-is-almost-as-dangerous-as-the-real-thing\/#Why_do_some_people_engage_with_VCSAM\" >Why do some people engage with VCSAM?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/virtual-child-sexual-abuse-material-is-almost-as-dangerous-as-the-real-thing\/#An_urgent_cause_for_concern\" >An urgent cause for concern<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CVirtual_child_sexual_abuse_material_is_almost_as_dangerous_as_the_real_thing%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;Virtual child sexual abuse material is almost as dangerous as the real thing&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n                            Child sexual abuse material (previously known as child pornography) can be a confronting and uncomfortable topic.<\/p>\n<p>Child sexual abuse material specifically refers to the possession, viewing, sharing, and creation of images or videos containing sexual or offensive material involving children.<\/p>\n<p>But less publicized is another form of child sexual abuse material: virtual child sexual abuse material (VCSAM).<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_virtual_child_sexual_abuse_material_VCSAM\"><\/span>What\u2019s virtual child sexual abuse material (VCSAM)?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>VCSAM is sexual content depicting fictitious children in formats such as <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/ai-can-now-create-fake-porn-making-revenge-porn-even-more-complicated-92267\">text, drawings, deepfakes<\/a>, or <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1525\/srsp.2007.4.1.93\">computer-generated graphics<\/a>. It\u2019s also known as fictional child pornography, pseudo pornography, or fantasy images.<\/p>\n<p>Recent technological advancements mean fictitious children can now be <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/heinonline.org\/HOL\/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals\/jltp2008&amp;div=9&amp;id=&amp;page=\">virtually indistinguishable<\/a> from real children in child sexual abuse material.<\/p>\n<p>Some offenders create VCSAM through a morphing technique which uses <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a> to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s12119-021-09820-1\">transform real images<\/a> into exploitative ones.<\/p>\n<p>A non-sexual image of a real child could be <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/heinonline.org\/HOL\/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals\/wlsj21&amp;div=6&amp;id=&amp;page=\">visually altered<\/a> to include sexual content. For example a child holding a toy altered to depict the child holding adult genitals.<\/p>\n<p>Morphing can also h<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>en in the reverse, where an <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/heinonline.org\/HOL\/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals\/jltp2008&amp;div=9&amp;id=&amp;page=\">image of an adult is morphed<\/a> to look like a child \u2013 for example adult breasts are altered to look prepubescent.<\/p>\n<p>Another type of VCSAM includes <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/heinonline.org\/HOL\/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals\/jltp2008&amp;div=9&amp;id=&amp;page=\">photo-editing multiple images<\/a> to create a final, more realistic airbrushed image.<\/p>\n<p>But what might be most troubling about VCSAM is it may still feature images and videos of real children being sexually abused.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, certain software can be used to make images and videos of real <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/ukgwa\/20091207110841\/http:\/www.homeoffice.gov.uk\/documents\/cons-2007-depiction-sex-abuse\">victims look like \u201cfictional\u201d drawings or cartoons<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In this way, this allows offenders to effectively <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/ukgwa\/20091207110841\/http:\/www.homeoffice.gov.uk\/documents\/cons-2007-depiction-sex-abuse\">disguise a real act of child sexual abuse<\/a>, potentially preventing law enforcement from bringing victims to safety.<\/p>\n<p>It may also enable repeat offenders to avoid detection.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_some_people_engage_with_VCSAM\"><\/span>Why do some people engage with VCSAM?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s limited evidence revealing why some people might engage with VCSAM.<\/p>\n<p>To learn more about this offending group, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s12119-021-09820-1\">we recently investigated the possible psychological basis<\/a> for people who engage with such material.<\/p>\n<p>We discovered <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s12119-021-09820-1\">several potential reasons<\/a> why offenders might use VCSAM.<\/p>\n<p>Some used it for relationship-building.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the diverse offending group, some offenders who use child sexual abuse material have been found to have <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/10683160701340577?casa_token=s36qCADnsJgAAAAA%3AGuta6CBYlJPYJXoRRMzRlDRZhigjmTAlHnw2d5SjqTrbZqb0k9LnwEv8KewEdL5W06Pv9SmYOK1L\">limited intimate relationships<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/13552600701365654?casa_token=xjmhrRjzFvMAAAAA%3AUIyUQ4hjyIL_3rZA_vaofD29VWjIe1Ps9O5DEFTv9QU-xsepi4VHwLYkX6TN6_18s1_azceS2Lts\">heightened loneliness<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Online communities of other deviant but like-minded people may therefore provide offenders with a greater <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s10896-008-9219-y\">sense of belonging, social validation, and support<\/a>. Such interactions may also, in turn, serve as positive reinforcement for their criminal behavior.<\/p>\n<p>Others may use this material to achieve sexual arousal.<\/p>\n<p>It could be argued the material may also <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/ukgwa\/20091207110841\/http:\/www.homeoffice.gov.uk\/documents\/cons-2007-depiction-sex-abuse\">normalize<\/a> the sexualization of children.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, professionals in child welfare and law enforcement seem to share the concern that VCSAM may <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/ukgwa\/20091207110841\/http:\/www.homeoffice.gov.uk\/documents\/cons-2007-depiction-sex-abuse\">\u201cfuel the abuse\u201d of children<\/a> by framing the offenders\u2019 criminal behavior as acceptable.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes the material is used for \u201cgrooming\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Adult offenders may show child sexual abuse material to children, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1111\/hojo.12006?casa_token=hYX5Pr8X04kAAAAA%3AHHvgg1mfu7eAuyC2Roh65cAzfVXhpn6RfnC4-WR2XRXD3XCNftR42hVg7yN25AzvsRj7s5A-74KfbQ\">breaking down the child\u2019s inhibitions<\/a> to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Marie-Eneman\/publication\/324951511_The_New_Face_of_Child_Pornography\/links\/5caf3c90299bf120975de200\/The-New-Face-of-Child-Pornography.pdf\">falsely normalise<\/a> the abusive act being depicted.<\/p>\n<p>This is one form of grooming \u2013 that is, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.vic.gov.au\/safer-communities\/protecting-children-and-families\/grooming-offence#:%7E:text=Grooming%20is%20now%20a%20criminal,sexual%20activity%20with%20a%20child.\">predatory conduct<\/a> aimed to facilitate later sexual activity with a child.<\/p>\n<p>Such material can also be <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1111\/hojo.12006?casa_token=hYX5Pr8X04kAAAAA%3AHHvgg1mfu7eAuyC2Roh65cAzfVXhpn6RfnC4-WR2XRXD3XCNftR42hVg7yN25AzvsRj7s5A-74KfbQ\">used to teach children<\/a> how to engage in sexual activities.<\/p>\n<p>For example, offenders may use VCSAM to show children material depicting young \u2013 and, most alarmingly, happy \u2013 <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s12119-021-09820-1\">cartoon characters engaging in sexual activities<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"An_urgent_cause_for_concern\"><\/span>An urgent cause for concern<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Clearly, VCSAM is incredibly harmful.<\/p>\n<p>It can be used to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/13218719.2015.1042419\">disguise the abuse<\/a> of real children, as a gateway to \u201c<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Lauren-Shapiro-7\/publication\/321137227_Child_Sex_Dolls_and_Robots_More_Than_Just_an_Uncanny_Valley\/links\/5a3062850f7e9b0d50f8e28e\/Child-Sex-Dolls-and-Robots-More-Than-Just-an-Uncanny-Valley.pdf\">contact offending<\/a>\u201d against children (meaning abusing them in real life), and as a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/01418030412331297065\">grooming<\/a> technique.<\/p>\n<p>Child welfare and law enforcement officials have sounded the alarm about the increasing creation and distribution of VCSAM for over a decade.<\/p>\n<p>And it seems this problem will only escalate with the development of <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/ukgwa\/20091207110841\/http:\/www.homeoffice.gov.uk\/documents\/cons-2007-depiction-sex-abuse\">increasingly sophisticated software<\/a> and digital technologies.<\/p>\n<p>So while VCSAM remains illegal and offenders are frequently prosecuted, detecting \u2013 and ultimately preventing \u2013 these often obscure acts of abuse remains a challenge. <!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" class=\"js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/180248\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\"\/><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/180248\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" class=\"\" srcset=\"\"\/><\/noscript><br \/>\n<em>This article by <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/larissa-christensen-387395\">Larissa Christensen<\/a>, Senior Lecturer in Criminology &amp; Justice | Co-leader of the Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit (SVRPU), <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068\">University of the Sunshine Coast<\/a>; <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/ashley-pearson-1331069\">Ashley Pearson<\/a>, Lecturer in Law, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068\">University of the Sunshine Coast<\/a>, and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/dominique-moritz-438407\">Dominique Moritz<\/a>, Senior Lecturer in Law, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068\">University of the Sunshine Coast<\/a>, is republished from <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/virtual-child-sexual-abuse-material-depicts-fictitious-children-but-can-be-used-to-disguise-real-abuse-180248\">original article<\/a>.<\/em>\n                        <\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/virtual-child-sexual-abuse-material-is-almost-as-dangerous-as-the-real-thing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Virtual child sexual abuse material is almost as dangerous as the real thing&#8221; Child sexual abuse material (previously known as child pornography) can be a confronting and uncomfortable topic. Child sexual abuse material specifically refers to the possession, viewing, sharing, and creation of images or videos containing sexual or offensive material involving children. But less&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":461111,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/tnw?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/06\/CSAM-hed-shutterstock_792806932.jpg&signature=04734a9d4058510c984072f65ab2dac8","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-461110","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/461110","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=461110"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/461110\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/461111"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=461110"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=461110"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=461110"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}