Mantz, Erika

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University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryMedia Relations Administrative Offices6-7-2005Possessing Internet Child Pornography Is A SeriousCrime With Serious Consequences, Study FindsErika MantzFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For moreinformation, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationMantz, Erika, "Possessing Internet Child Pornography Is A Serious Crime With Serious Consequences, Study Finds" (2005). UNHToday. 1437.https://scholars.unh.edu/news/14379/25/17, 2)23 PMPossessing Internet Child Pornography Is A Serious Crime With Serious Consequences, Study FindsPage 1 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2005/june/em_050607study.htmlRelated LinksCrimes againstChildren ResearchCenterNational Center forMissing & ExploitedChildrenReport: Child-PornographyPossessors Arrested inInternet-RelatedCrimes: Findings Fromthe National JuvenileOnline VictimizationStudyPossessing Internet Child Pornography Is A Serious CrimeWith Serious Consequences, Study FindsContact: Erika Mantz603-862-1567UNH Media RelationsJune 7, 2005Editors: Janis Wolak, a researcher in UNH’s Crimes against Children Research Center, isavailable for interviews at (603) 862-4691.DURHAM, N.H. – People arrested for possessing Internet child pornography have typicallycommitted serious offenses and received serious sentences, according to the first national studyof the problem by researchers at the University of New Hampshire. The study found the majorityof child pornography possessors caught by the justice system had downloaded sexually explicitimages of very young children and images that graphically depicted sexual penetration. Morethan half had molested a child or attempted to do so.Allaying concerns that law enforcement has been unresponsive to the problem, the study alsofound substantial numbers of arrests and high rates of conviction and incarceration. According tothe authors of the report, this success is due in part to the incontrovertible evidence that childpornography investigations typically find.The report, "Child-Pornography Possessors Arrested in Internet-Related Crimes: Findings Fromthe National Juvenile Online Victimization Study," was authored by researchers Janis Wolak,David Finkelhor, and Kimberly Mitchell from the University of New Hampshire’s Crimesagainst Children Research Center, with funding from the National Center for Missing &Exploited Children and U.S. Department of Justice. The study involved surveys and interviewswith a national sample of more than 2,500 law enforcement agencies. “This study documents the inherent seriousness of child pornography possession,” said Wolak.“Although their identities are often unknown, the children in these graphic images were sexuallyabused and exploited. People who view and possess these images are adding to the burdens ofthese young victims, whose trauma may be increased by knowing their pictures are circulatingglobally on the Internet with no hope of being removed.” The study found a broad spectrum of individuals and law enforcement agencies around thecountry were involved in bringing child pornography possession cases to light. Keyrecommendations call for increased efforts to encourage individuals to report pornographicimages of children and more resources for law enforcement in the handling of these cases.The full report is available on the CCRC Web site at http://www.unh.edu/ccrc under “InternetCrimes against Children” or on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Web site9/25/17, 2)23 PMPossessing Internet Child Pornography Is A Serious Crime With Serious Consequences, Study FindsPage 2 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2005/june/em_050607study.htmlat http://www.missingkids.com under “Featured Publications” or by calling the toll-free hotlineat 1-800 THE LOST (1-800-843-5678).

Possessing Internet Child Pornography Is A Serious Crime With Serious Consequences, Study Finds

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Possessing Internet Child Pornography Is A Serious Crime With Serious Consequences, Study Finds

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