Child porn goes uninvestigated amid cash crisis

2nd June 2009

The Independent reports how the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre is not being financed properly by the Government. The Centre investigates thousands of cases of children in pornographic pictures, and has actually saved children from abuse as a result of its activities.

The problem of child pornography is a relatively recent development as far as the law is concerned. The Children and Young Persons (Harmful Publications) Act 1955 prevented the dissemination of certain pictorial publications harmful to children and young persons.  The Obscene Publications Acts 1959 and 1964 made certain strictures against “obscene matter” although it was not really targeted at child protection. 

However the Protection of Children Act 1978 prevented the exploitation of children by making indecent photographs of them.  The Act also penalises the distribution, showing and advertisement of such indecent photographs. 

Sections 45 to 51 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 now deal with indecent photography of children (including those aged 16 or 17).

See The Independent 31 May 09 Child porn goes univestigated amid cash crisis