Underage Pornography Laws A Little Extreme In Some Cases?

Question

I was just checking out some of the questions asked not too long ago. I saw one that stated that an adult had 10 files of underage pornography stored on his hard-drive. In this particular area, it's punishable by 10 years per file. This equals 100 years in prison. Isn't that a bit too much? Sure, they did something pretty bad, but they still deserve another shot, in my opinion. I'm a Canadian and I'm not familiar with Canada's laws, however, it just seemed a bit too much. I do not support any type of behaviour like this, but people make mistakes in their lives. I think the law needs to deal with this (and may other types of crime as well) type of crime differently. They need to weigh the circumstances. If say, somebody intentionally viewed underage pornography, but, made attempts to stop, and did not harm anyone; should have their trial adjusted accordingly. I fully agree, there are people out there who deserve punishment, but there are those who don't.
What do you think?

BlueLadyBlue, I AM Canadian, but I'm just not familiar with their laws. I'm not trying to prevoke it. I stated that I strongly DO NOT SUPPORT IT!!! I think it's terrible, put people do terrible things. They deserve punishment, I know, but not 100 years. But, it's your opinion. Same with assault, if you've been prevoked by somebody untill the breaking point, you don't deserve something like that on your record. People make mistakes, and granted, some worse then others, but, people usually deserve a second chance.

And I'm talking strictly the pornography, when no child was harmed or abused by the VIEWER, not the maker. The makers deserve strict punishment for sure.

Let's say a 13-15 year old looked at pictures/videos of an underage person. They get the same treatment, no? Juvenile Detention? If a man has pedophilia, but doesn't directly act on it (hurt anyone) I don't think they should be punished. Next time I see somebody with down syndrome yelling and screaming, I'll go beat the **** out of them for disrupting my peace. Sound fair? No? Niether does sentencing a person to life in prison for mildly acting on their condition. Like the pedophiles who directly act on their condition and seek no help, have no remorse, and no concern deserve the maxium punishment. Children are innocent and do not deserve to be treated that way by somebody. But, I'm talking LESS extreme cases. Where nobody was hurt, and they did make a strong attempt to turn things around; those people get the SAME treatment. See what I mean?

The distributers of this stuff are vermin, they're scum, and they're useless. I agree 100%. Let's say your son is X years old (let's say anywhere 18 or younger) and they viewed (intentionally) files depicting somebody underage. Would you like them to be literally HATED by EVERYONE for making a mistake, even if they didn't harm a child, and had remorse, and made attempts to stop? Would you hate their guts yourself? I'm doing my best not to side with anyone, I'm just saying what is fair.

Answer 1

well, if they watched unintenionally they can prove it in a fair trial. i know that in canada most laws are less severe than in here (i just watched it in law and order lol). maybe the one about 10 years is a little too severe, but it is the law.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

yeah. For just pictures 15 years tops.

The act of child molestation on the other hand should result in death....well maybe give them 5 years to gather up an appeal or 2 but then kill them

Unfortunately pictures usually lead to the act itself

What i find shocking is how places like lime-wire for instance where you can download porn may say Lindsey Lohan nude but when you download and open it it could very well be kiddie porn. Any distribution or downloading is against the law. Sending any pics even to the agencies that monitor stuff like this is against the law....I hope that the justice system has ways of protecting the innocent people as well

Tinman and a few others
Country's like Sweden allow a certain level of child porn...kinda
13 and up can pose nude..but cannot be touched by anyone and may not perform any sexual act. These kids do this to make their parents rich. Which in my opinion is very tasteless by the parents. Some society's do not find the things we find taboo...although that doesn't necessarily make it right either

Answer 4

Remember we are the same people who make up the law. Pornography shouldn't be tolerated at anytime. regardless of everyone makes a mistakes, If we start relaxing in one area and then another pretty soon we wont have the laws to protect us and our love ones. Their is no excuse because their a little bell that goes off in our little heads and we as adult should no right from wrong. Remember you have family member's and you wouldn't ever want someone to violate them and then get off because of a mistake. It s always easy to say it not our fault the laws are to harsh.

Answer 5

No it's not too harsh.
Pedophiles have an extremely high rate of recidivism. Also, its very hard to prosecute those cases, given that most parents don't want to put their child through the awful experience of testifying about sexual abuse in court.
Its horrifying, but many pedophiles would get off with a slap on the hand if it weren't for these porn laws. They at least are easy to prosecute and it gets a danger to society off the streets.

Answer 6

I think they should get 100 years per picture of each child, but that's just me.

Look, there is a whole lot more than having pictures to this. You see, someone sees a need for this stuff (by the pervert you read about), so they endanger and ruin the lives of the kids to gratify people you think should get slapped on the hand.

What are you, nuts?

Answer 7

It's like speed limits. Sure, most people can drive safely at 65 on a highway, conditions excepting, and many can drive safely at 75, and some can perhaps drive safely at 85, but to keep ALL of us safe, the speed limit is set to 65. Child pornography is probably like that - they are setting a solid limit to keep people from overreaching - as we all do too easily!

Answer 8

The underage pornography laws are not strong enough. And yes, someone is being harmed, the children set up in these pornography situations are being harmed for the sake of some *** wipe to get his jollys.
Rethink your opinions more carefully instead of a knee jerk defense for these %**)!^$*.

Answer 9

I am a mother, and I have no sympathy, empathy, kindness, consideration, anything!!!! Towards someone that needs to view anything that has to do with porn where a child is concerned. The only adjustments that should be made are throwing away the key for those that market, distribute, and produce such filth!

Answer 10

The problem is, people with this type of behaviour will not change, typically they will get worse and increase the possibility that they will act on their interest. Also, by consuming underage pornography, he is helping to support a market that exploits children. So indirectly, he is is causing harm.

Answer 11

Most of the punishments established have been driven by a very vocal portion of the general populace. The actual sentences for that type of crime is seldom compared with any measure of "fairness".

I agree that in some instances, the punishment goes over the top. It sometimes doesn't seem to make much sense. Should someone be required to register for the rest of thier life for a one-time act that they are not likely to repeat? Not in my opinion but that is the state of things right now.