Combating Child Pornography: International Legal Regulation and Experience of Ukraine and Foreign Countries

Authors

  • Volodymyr Iemelianenko Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, Ukraine
  • Mariana Dmytruk Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, Ukraine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21564/2225-6555.2024.1(25).306612

Keywords:

child pornography, Internet pornography, sexual exploitation, minors, pornographic materials, child prostitution, anime, artificial intelligence, сybercrime

Abstract

The relevance of the topic is determined by the fact that child pornography is a serious threat to the safety and well-being of children, and combating it requires a comprehensive approach at the national level and international cooperation. Thus, the purpose of this study is to analyse international legal regulation in the field of combating child pornography, the experience of Ukraine and such foreign countries as France, Japan, India, the United Kingdom and Canada. The objectives are to identify the main regulatory provisions, mechanisms and approaches aimed at preventing and combating child pornography. The study was conducted using a number of scientific methods, including dialectical, formal and logical, analysis, comparison and generalisation methods. The authors draw attention to the concept of child pornography. It is determined what actions are considered to be the crime of child pornography and are criminalized. The recommendations and obligations of countries that have ratified these acts are analyzed. The article analyses the issues of criminalization of child pornography offenses in the legislation of the respective countries, criminal liability measures, establishment of national organizations and structures to combat it, etc. It was concluded that the maximum term of imprisonment an offender can receive in Canada and Great Britain, and one of the smallest in Japan and India. The article also disproves the hypothesis that approaches to combating child pornography are identical in individual countries with different legal systems. The authors draw attention to the problem of determining the status of graphic materials and works of artificial intelligence that contain signs of child pornography. The authors also raise the issue of criminal legal assessment of viewing child pornography, including live broadcasts. It is stated that no country is immune to this form of child sexual exploitation. Attention is drawn to international cooperation, which is key to sharing best practices, resources and information between countries. It is argued that national governments, law enforcement agencies and civil society need to work together in a concerted effort to ensure the protection of children in the world. This is important, among other things, to combat the avoidance of responsibility by criminals.

References

Shatrava, S.O., Dzhafarova, О. V., Denyschuk, D.Y. & Pohorilets, О.V. (2023). Directions for the Development of the Criminal Procedure Science. Bulletin of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, 103(4), 184-196. https://doi.org/10.32631/v.2023.4.17.

Shevchenko, T.V. (2023). Obtaining Access to Child Pornography as a Sign of the Objective Side of Art. 301-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Problems of Modern Transformations. Series: Law, Public Management and Administration, 8. https://doi.org/10.54929/2786-5746-2023-8-01-05.

Lubenets, I.G., & Prykhodko, O.O. (2020). The Problem of Child Pornography on the Internet: State, Trends, Ways to Overcome it. Legal Scientific Electronic Journal, 5, 182-186. https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0374/2020-5/43.

Knyzhenko, S.O. (2022). Forensic Characteristics of the Creation and Distribution of Content Containing Child Pornography Using Information and Telecommunication Systems or Technologies. Analytical and Comparative Jurisprudence, 3, 227-231. https://doi.org/10.24144/2788-6018.2022.03.41.

Yemelianov, V.P., & Mytrofanova, Y.S. (2023). Problems of Application and Ways to Improve the Law on Criminal Liability for Child Pornography. Bulletin of Criminological Association of Ukraine, 28(1), 31-40. https://doi.org/10.32631/vca.2023.1.02.

Denisov, S.F., & Garyga-Grykhno, M.M. (2023). Combating Child Pornography in the Countries of the European Union. Bulletin of the Criminological Association of Ukraine, 28(1), 87-98. https://doi.org/10.32631/vca.2023.1.07.

Zhdanova, I., & Grabar, O. (2021). The Problem of Child Pornography on the Internet and Criminal Liability. Public Law, 3(43), 120-126. https://doi.org/10.32782/2306-9082/2021-43-13.

Agal, P. (April, 2019). Child Pornography: a Comparative Analysis. International Journal of Science and Research, 8(4), 746-749. https://doi.org/10.21275/ART20196918.

Dr. Bhadury, S. (2022). Child Pornography in India: Issues and Challenges. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(6), 6524-6529.

Langdem L. (May, 2023). Child Pornography in Virtual World: a National and International Legal Perspectives. International Journal of Researches in Social Science & Information Studies, IX(I), 29-33

Mignault, A., & Fortin, F. (April, 2022). Analysis of Sentencing Factors According to Judges for Child Pornography Cases in Canada. ResearchGate. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.11713.12640.

Smt. Hutagi, M.P. &. Dr. Patil, J.S., (February, 2019). A Study of Child Pornographic Responses in India and Its Impact. Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 6(2), 742-745.

Huber, E. (June, 2022). Child Sexual Abuse and the Media. Child pornography in the Internet. ResearchGate. https://doi.org/10.5771/9783748904403-231.

Matsuura, Masaru. (March, 2021). The Politics of Sexuality in the Regulation of Manga Expression as "Child Pornography Regulation": From The Perspective of "Interpersonal Sexual Centrism". Human Sciences and Sociology of Coexistence, 11, 1-18.

Sato, Toshiaki. (2015). Rhetorical Analysis of the Debate over the Regulation of Sexual Expressions of Non-Existent Children in the Anti-Child Pornography Law: The Emergence and Effects of a "Contest of Defenders" due to the Turnaround. Sociologos, 39, 211-232.

Oliván-Gonzalvo, G., Sánchez-Quiroz, P.L., & Parte-Serna, A.C. de la. (2021). Use of Tanner Stages to Estimate Chronological Age in Alleged Child Pornography Cases: A Systematic Review. Andes Pediatrica, 92(3), 470-477. https://doi.org/10.32641/andespediatr.v92i3.3374.

Newman, E., Steel, C.M.S., O’Rourke, S., & Quayle, E. (2023). Self Perceptions and Cognitions of Child Sexual Exploitation Material Offenders. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 67(10-11), 1017-1036. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X211062161.

Newman, E., Steel, C.M.S., O’Rourke, S., & Quayle, E. (2024). Improving Child Sexual Exploitation Material Investigations: Recommendations Based on a Review of Recent Research Findings. Police Journal, 97(1), 150-165. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X221142525.

Prat, S., Bertsch, I., Praud, N., Huynh, A.-C., & Courtois, R. (2020). Child Pornography: Characteristics of its Depiction and Use. Medico-Legal Journal, 88(3), 139-143. https://doi.org/10.1177/0025817219898151.

Savoie, V., Quayle, E., Flynn, E., & O’Rourke, S. (2022). Predicting Risk of Reoffending in Persons with Child Sexual Exploitation Material Offense Histories: The Use of Child Pornography Offender Risk Tool in a Scottish Population. Sexual Abuse: Journal of Research and Treatment, 34(5), 568-596. https://doi.org/10.1177/10790632211047190.

Resolution of General Assembly of the United Nations No. 1386 (XIV) "Declaration of the Rights of the Child" (November 20, 1959). Retrieved from https://www.ohchr.org/en/resources/educators/human-rights-education-training/1-declaration-rights-child-1959.

Resolution of General Assembly of the United Nations No. 44/25 "Convention on the Rights of the Child". (November 20, 1989). Retrieved from https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child/

Resolution of General Assembly of the United Nations No. A/RES/54/263 "Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography". (May 25, 2000). Retrieved from https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/optional-protocol-convention-rights-child-sale-children-child.

Law of Ukraine No. 2824-IV (2824-15) "Convention on Cybercrime". (September 7, 2005). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/994_575#Text.

Law of Ukraine No. 4988-VI "On the Ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Violence. (June 20, 2012). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/994_927#Text.

Penal Code. (Version in force on June13, 2024). Retrieved from https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/texte_lc/LEGITEXT000006070719/.

Act No. 52 "Act on the Regulation and Punishment of Acts Related to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and the Protection of Children". (1911). Retrieved from https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=411AC0100000052.

The Indian Penal Code. Arrangement of Sections. A1860-45. Retrieved from https://lddashboard.legislative.gov.in/sites/default/files/A1860-45.pdf.

The Information Technology Act, 2000. Arrangement of Sections. Retrieved from https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/13116/1/it_act_2000_updated.pdf.

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. Arrangement of Sections. Retrieved from https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/9318/1/sexualoffencea2012-32.pdf.

Protection of Children Act 1978. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1978/37.

The Criminal Code of Canada. Justice Laws Website. Retrieved from https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/.

Law of Ukraine No. 1256-IX "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on the Implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention)". (February 18, 2021). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1256-20#Text.

Downloads

Published

2024-12-18

How to Cite

Iemelianenko, V., & Dmytruk, M. (2024). Combating Child Pornography: International Legal Regulation and Experience of Ukraine and Foreign Countries. Theory and Practice of Jurisprudence, 1((25), 174–197. https://doi.org/10.21564/2225-6555.2024.1(25).306612

Issue

Section

CRIMINAL LAW, CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINALISTICS