Child-on-Child Sex Abuse Cases Increasing Because of Pornography

Child Advocacy Group Reports Influx of Child-on-Child Sex Abuse Cases

'We've had children that are basically describing an addiction to child pornography and then they try it out.'

video 1:26

TALLADEGA COUNTY, Ala. —

A Talladega County child advocacy group said they’re seeing an increase in child-on-child sex abuse cases, brought on by a growing addiction to pornography among children.

Use of technology and the internet are as common today as taking a breath and the children taking it in continue to get younger. Just a few clicks can answer just about any question. But Nancy Green, with Palmer Place, said it can also teach some very adult lessons.

"We had (cases) that the child has said, ‘I learned that from the internet,’ and we've had children that are basically describing an addiction to child pornography and then they try it out,” Green said.

From October to December, the children's advocacy group said it interviewed 70 child sex abuse victims -- the highest for a quarter in the group’s history. Most of the predators where other children.

3 y/o victim; 10 y/o perp

"We had a case recently where the victim is only 3 years old and the perpetrator is only 10 or 11 years old,” Green said.

Green said as the age of the perpetrator decreases, so does the probability of prosecuting the abuse case, which leaves it up to parents to help fight the problem.

"Just be aware of what your children are doing and pay attention to the signs that something may be happening to them, that they're changing, they're withdrawing,” Green said.

Studies show most young people come across pornography by age 15 in some way. 

I am quite sure that number is considerably lower than 15 now.

Palmer Place recommends parents use apps or protection software to help monitor children's online activity.

That, of course, is reactive not preventive. We need an inquiry into the availability of pornography to children, and we need it now. It is destroying a generation of boys and they are damaging a generation of girls. As mentioned before, I believe that the easy availability of pornography to adolescent boys is the main cause of the culture of rape in our schools and universities. 

If you agree with me, please consider what you might do to bring this about.