How Many Pedophiles Do You Really Think There Are?
A major component of running and writing for an adult blog network is the use of Google news alerts. One of the most important keywords I have an alert for is “porn.” Although, “porn” does not just fill my alert box with stories of sexuality. The vast majority of notices I receive are news stories covering arrests for possession of child porn, and the percentage is growing.
Now, this may not sound like news to some of you. In fact, most of you will read this and applaud the law for paying such close attention to the subject. I would be 100% in your corner myself if I did not fully understand the second half of this editorial.
Some time ago, you may remember an article posted here on child porn viruses. These are virus programs that are used to either stockpile child pornography or surf it live on your home computer remotely. As someone who is professionally immersed in the world of sexual content, I can tell you that the the increase in arrests directly coincided with breaking press on the viruses. Do not be mistaken though. These same viruses have existed for a long time, and the stories of their legal misunderstanding have always been the same.
In 2007, a former Massachusetts workers’ compensation investigator was charged with possession of child pornography when his employer found child porn on the hard drive of his state-issued computer. An inspection later revealed that the computer was badly infected; it had been programmed to visit over 2000 child porn sites per hour, all without his knowledge.
After almost a year, the case against him was dropped, but not before he lost his job and his friends. He also had his car vandalized and experienced death threats.
Approximately 20 million computers worldwide are infected with viruses that could give someone else complete control. Pedophiles can take advantage of these hacked computers to store and access child porn, protecting themselves in case of an investigation. Innocent men and women can, and have been, prosecuted for becoming victims of these programs.
The more astonishing event in this massive technological, moral, and legal snafu, is the stance many officials take on the matter.
“We call it the SODDI defense: Some Other Dude Did It,” – James Anderson, a federal prosecutor in Wyoming.
The director of the Cyberlaw Clinic at Harvard’s Beckman Center for Internet & Society compares it to the “dog ate my homework” excuse used by schoolchildren everywhere. The problem, he says, is that sometimes the dog really did eat the homework.
During our extended period of time where a massive technological transition is taking place, having officials who are not technologically informed is understandable. Eventually, generations who have matured with today’s technology will hold the positions necessary. Until then, I believe that officials of both the young and old school variety should investigate more thoroughly before making public accusations. The subtle approach can and will save innocent lives.
Sources: 24-7pressrelease.com, searchwarp.com
