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Press
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CHILD PORN AMONG FASTEST GROWING INTERNET BUSINESSES
ALEXANDRIA, VA, August, 18, 2005 — Within only
a few years, child pornography has become a multi-billion dollar commercial
enterprise, and is among the fastest growing businesses on the Internet.
1 Through the use of digital and web cameras, child pornography
has become easier and less expensive to produce. Distribution on the Internet
has facilitated instant access by thousands and possibly millions of individuals
throughout the world. The ability to use credit cards to purchase child
pornography has made it easier than ever to obtain.
Arrests in the United States for the possession of child pornography,
during a one-year period from 2000 to 2001, produced alarming results.
According to investigators, the majority of those arrested had images
of children who had not yet reached puberty. Specifically, 83% had pornographic
material that involved children between ages 6 and 12; 39% had material
involving children between ages 3 and 5; and 19% had images of infants
or toddlers under age 3. 2
“The ease and anonymity of using home computers has revolutionized
accessibility as well as the production and distribution of child pornography,
especially across international borders,” said Ernie Allen, President
and CEO, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
“The fact that child pornography can be purchased using a credit
card, or traded at no cost on the Internet, is causing an exploding global
problem and an immeasurable impact on the sexual exploitation of children.”
The exact number of web sites is difficult to determine. A 2002 report
by ECPAT International and the Bangkok Post, estimated that 100,000 child
pornography web sites existed on the Internet in 2001. Since 1997, the
number of child pornography images on the Internet is estimated to have
increased by 1500%.3 NCMEC’s congressionally mandated CyberTipline
received 21,603 reports of child pornography in 2001, and in 2004 it received
106,176 reports – a 491% increase over a four-year period.
Child pornography is illegal. The possession and/or distribution of child
pornography is a federal crime. It is estimated that 20% of all pornography
on the Internet involves children.4 “Traditionally, we have viewed
pedophiles as the users and distributors of child pornography,”
said Allen. “However, we are shocked to learn that the consumer
market for child pornography is growing and becoming much broader.5
Younger and younger children are being victimized, and the content is
becoming more graphic and more violent.”6
Child pornography is defined as the visual image of infants, toddlers,
and children under age 18, in sexual poses or in explicit sexual activity.
These are not adults dressed up as children. Many images depict violence
such as bondage, rape, or torture.7 Although most pornographic images
are of girls, the number of boys is increasing.8
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a private,
nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Established in 1984, NCMEC works in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention to provide services for families and
law enforcement.
NCMEC’s website, www.missingkids.com
reaches a global audience with a multi- lingual database of images and
information on missing children, prevention tips, and free resources.
NCMEC also operates a 24-hour nationwide hotline 1-800-THE-LOST, and a
24-hour tipline, www.cybertipline.com.
Since 1998, the CyberTipline has received more than 340,000 reports of
child exploitation (including 310,000 reports of child pornography).
1 Source: Top Ten Reviews ™ “Internet Filter Review”
an online resource that reviews Internet Safety. (Reported that CP generates
$3 billion annually)
2 Source: “Child Pornography Possessors Arrested in Internet-Related
Crimes: Findings from the National Juvenile Online Victimization Study”
(Alexandria, Virginia: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children,
2005) page 4.
3 Source: Internet Watch Foundation, United Kingdom
4 Source: “Internet Sex Crimes Against Minors: The Response of
Law Enforcement, November 2003. (Alexandria, Virginia: National Center
for Missing & Exploited Children, November 2003) page 3.
5 Source: “Child Pornography Possessors Arrested in Internet-Related
Crimes: Findings from the National Juvenile Online Victimization Study,
2005”, page x.
6 Source: “Child Pornography Possessors Arrested in Internet-Related
Crimes: Findings from the National Juvenile Online Victimization Study,
2005”, page 4.
7 Source: “Child Pornography Possessors Arrested in Internet-Related
Crimes: Findings from the National Juvenile Online Victimization Study,
2005”, page 5.
8 Source: “Child Pornography Possessors Arrested in Internet-Related
Crimes: Findings from the National Juvenile Online Victimization Study,
2005”, page 5
CONTACT:
Communications Department
NCMEC
703-837-6111
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