The problem of child pornography on the internet

The Scotsman reports that the government is failing to resolve the issue of access to child-abuse images on the internet, after the Home Office confirmed in 2006 that it was government policy to ensure all UK internet service providers deployed a blocking mechanism for child-abuse images.

In June 2008, the Home Office indicated that the proportion of UK households covered had reached only 95 per cent.

In the meantime, BBC News reports that a British man living in the United States has been ordered to pay $200,000 to a woman for possession an indecent image of her as a child.

Whilst it is understood that the man intends to appeal, the decision raises an interesting legal precedent. The basis of the judge’s decision appears to be that the viewer of child pornography is exploiting the victim in the same way as those who made the images.

Under English law, the woman might have a direct claim in assault against those who sexually exploited her. Any claim against a person who views the images later on, would be more difficult.