Child Pornography

Child pornography (CP) is readily defined as images that portray the sexual assault of minors. Due to the massive growth of sexual content featuring children that is available on the Internet and the role the Internet plays in driving CP, its possession, distribution, and production, increased public and law enforcement attention has also been drawn to the issue of child sexual abuse and exploitation. This entry examines the issue of CP from its development in physical media to electronic forms with the Internet. Also highlighted are the amounts and types of CP that exist on the Internet and a profile of those most likely to use it. Because these activities have reached the forefront of law enforcement action and societal concern, this entry concludes with ...