Lecture 14: Thu 0409 Online Sexual Offending: Child Sexual Exploitative Material (CSEM)

Introduction to Online Sexual Offending (Child Sexual Exploitation Material - CSEM)

This lecture, though rescheduled, builds upon previous discussions on theories of sexual offending, aiming to provide a foundational understanding of online sexual offending. It's a sensitive but crucial topic due to its widespread and rapidly growing nature, and the constantly evolving understanding of its dynamics given technological advancements.

While this lecture will not include any explicit descriptions or imagery of Child Sexual Exploitative Material (CSIM), it will focus on understanding the behaviors of individuals involved in such activities and the underlying reasons.

Lecture Objectives

• Define CSIM: Understand the terminology and legal context.

• Prevalence: Examine how common this behavior is.

• Relationship to Contact Offending: Investigate the link between CSIM use and contact sexual offending.

• Motivations: Explore why individuals use, access, and distribute CSIM online.

• Intervention: Lay the groundwork for potential intervention and harm reduction strategies.

Clarifying Terminology: From "Child Pornography" to CSIM

There has been a significant shift away from the term "child pornography" among professionals in the field due to its problematic implications.

• "Pornography" implies consent: The term "pornography" is typically used for consensual acts between adults, distributed for sexual pleasure. Applying this term to children normalizes and minimizes the fundamental abuse and exploitation involved.

• Children cannot give consent: Due to their developmental stage, children inherently lack the capacity to provide legal or informed consent for sexual acts. Therefore, any material depicting sexual conduct involving children is by definition exploitative and abusive.

• Preferred terms: The most commonly accepted terms are Child Sexual Exploitative Material (CSIM) or Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). These terms are used interchangeably and accurately reflect the nature of the content.

Legal Framework in New Zealand

In New Zealand, CSIM is regulated by the Films, Videos and Publications Classifications Act.

• Administering agency: The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) administers this law and has the authority to investigate breaches.

• Police involvement: The police become involved if an identifiable child is being directly harmed. Otherwise, for matters concerning objectionable content, the DIA leads the investigation.

• Objec­tionable content: Anything that involves children who are nude or partially nude and where the images are regarded as sexual in nature is deemed objectionable.

• Criteria for objectionable material: The DIA screens referrals to determine if material meets criteria, specifically if it "promotes or supports exploitation of children for sexual purposes." This includes images, videos, or live-stream content involving real children or young people being sexually abused.

• Offending: CSIM offending typically involves sharing, viewing, downloading, or uploading this type of material.

Prevalence of CSIM

International Data: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

NCMEC, an American organization, receives referrals primarily through its CyberTip Line, mostly from internet service providers and social media platforms.

• Reporting statistics: In $2023$, NCMEC received over $36,000,000$ reports of suspected child sexual exploitation online. Since $1998$, the total stands at over $180,000,000$ reports.

• Rapid growth: The significant proportion of $2023$ reports within the total indicates a rapid increase in reporting, suggesting a growing phenomenon.

• Types of referrals: While NCMEC receives referrals for various issues (online enticement, child sex trafficking, molestation), the vast majority (nearly $36,000,000$ out of $36$ million) are for apparent CSIM.

• Reporting sources: Referrals come from platforms like Facebook and Twitter, often due to their obligations to report suspicious material. The true extent of CSIM is likely even higher than what is reported.

New Zealand Data: Department of Internal Affairs (DIA)

In New Zealand, referrals (often from NCMEC) are triaged by the DIA, police, and customs. The DIA's Digital Child Exploitation Team primarily handles cases concerning objectionable material.

• Referrals in New Zealand ($2023$): The DIA received approximately $18,500$ referrals from NCMEC. Referrals also come from the public, identified victims, and other international agencies, but NCMEC is the primary source.

• Dramatic increase: Referrals in NZ increased by $283\%$ between $2021$ and $2023$, a trend that accelerated post-COVID.

• Investigations vs. referrals: Out of $18,500$ referrals, only $47$ investigations were undertaken, leading to $44$ search warrants, $35$ children safeguarded, and $15$ people prosecuted. This highlights that a vast majority of CSIM engagement does not come to the attention of authorities, partly due to resource limitations (and multiple referrals for the same individuals).

• Seized material: Investigations revealed large collections, with nearly $3,000,000$ pieces of illegal material seized from $44$ warrants.

• Website blocking: Over $1,000,000$ attempts to access CSIM-hosting websites were blocked in New Zealand. Blocked sites provide resources for seeking help, but it is still possible to access such material.

Dark Net vs. Clear Net

• Dark Net prevalence: While a vast majority of CSIM is found on the