- ECPAT opposes all written, visual or audio portrayal of children
under the age of 18 which depicts or simulates sexual activity involving a child,
or exhibits the genitals of the child in a lewd fashion.
- ECPAT believes that every country should criminalise the production,
distribution, importation and the mere possession of child pornography, including
simulated child pornography, and provide severe penalties against the producer,
distributor, importer and/or possessor. No proof of criminal intent or of a commercial
transaction should be required. To this end, ECPAT is committed to lobby work
and awareness-raising which will lead to adequate legislation in every country.
- ECPAT believes that the right of children (in general and in
the particular) for protection against sexual exploitation should override considerations
of privacy and free speech for adults. The best interests of children should take
precedence.
- ECPAT supports the search for suitable model legislation and
law enforcement mechanisms, including bilateral and multilateral arrangements
to ease the prosecution of Internet-related use of child pornography. ECPAT seeks
to develop positive and co-operative relationships with Internet Service Providers
(ISPs) and with the software and search engine production industries in order
to find solutions to the technological problems concerning the transmission of
child pornography via computer and the Internet.
- ECPAT encourages the ISPs to develop appropriate Codes of Conduct
which will include a commitment to the reporting of child pornography to the police,
and give notice to users of that intention, as well as the development of child-friendly
information on their sites. ECPAT encourages the ISPs to give all possible support
to law enforcement agencies to prevent the criminal use of the Internet by child
sex offenders.
- ECPAT supports public education and awareness programmes which
can reduce the risk to children of either becoming victims as the subjects of
child pornography, or victims of seduction and exposure to harmful material through
use of the Internet.
- ECPAT therefore also encourages the development of national
hot lines and educational websites where children and adults can report child
pornography and where they can learn about dangers from the use of the Internet.
- In its own operations ECPAT considers it inappropriate for its
staff or members to be in possession of child pornography, unless this is done
with specific permission of the local police and in co-operation with them, and
in a strictly controlled environment for educational purposes.
- ECPAT does, however, encourage law-enforcement agencies
to use demonstration examples of child pornography to selected audiences who have
the potential to effect change in society, such as legislators or judges.
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