I have to agree with MH on a lot of points here, and it's often difficult to agree in such a manner simply because of society's reaction to anything related to pedophilia.

It is true that there are varying degrees of punishment for child molestation vs possessing child pornography, but the saddest part of that? Child molesters actually get less prison time than individuals that either view or possess child porn.

That's an issue, and it's a big one for me, and here's why:

Sexual addiction is a real thing and it does affect a lot of people around the world. I believe there are various branches of sex addiction that branch off into the taboo.

If you do research on this topic, as I have written research papers regarding this ridiculous justice system, you'll find that most people who are into viewing taboo topics online (bestiality, CP, snuff, torture porn, etc) almost never act out in any way, because they're simply in it for the shock factor, the 'wtf'.

But then you'll read about these pervs that view bikini images of children, etc. (which is legal dependent on the poses), and those are far more likely to act on their impulses.

It's a very weird dynamic, but it's there.

So our justice system (which is used as a political tool to seem "tough" on some things) go after the low-hanging fruit, because it's relatively easy to trace those viewing and storing CP on their various devices, but that does nothing to protect children. . . nothing at all.

The article quoted above claims that every 'viewing' of an image is an abuse of the child, but that's simply not true. It isn't true from a logical standpoint, nor from a judicial standpoint.

Those taking the images/videos are the ones harming children. Once a person views the image, the damage has already been done.

I'd also like to point out that it's one thing to view images posted by someone, but it's something entirely different to seek out people to take the pictures for another - anyone seeking the pictures from a direct source IS damaging the child. Anyone paying for pictures IS damaging a child.

But, viewing images/videos is not harming the child when the viewer doesn't pay for it or beg for more, etc.

But I think the biggest point to be made here is that rapists. . . child rapists. . . get lesser sentences than those viewing/possessing CP. That is an issue that needs to be addressed.

For those that harm children in that way (or even just physical abuse) should have every book thrown at them. I don't feel sorry for what happens to rapists in prison, and it's a welcoming thought to know that even criminals in a prison have morals enough to destroy the life of a child-abuser while he/she is in prison.

Anyway, that's my rant for today.