Encouraging people to report Websites they suspect of trafficking in child pornography is one thing, but Adult Sites Against Child Pornography has a request before you do: please read their frequently-asked-questions section first, and save yourself, and those you hope to help, a pile of aggravation.
“We understand that it is very upsetting to view such images, that one wants to immediately do something about it, and that it is frustrating not to be able to do so," said executive director Joan Irvine, announcing a 15 percent hike in site reporting for July over June, producing an average of 187 reports a day and 240 new suspect sites reported to the FBI.
Irvine said that while there's been a hike in the number of reports for that month's period, there was also a drop in the number of validated reports sent on to law enforcement and child help hotlines. That, she said, caused ASACP to believe many are reporting sites and making inquiries without troubling themselves to see the FAQ page.
Most particularly, the FAQ page suggests that the better part of valor is not to go hunting child porn sites yourself. "Laws do vary around the world," the section says. "In the U.S. it is illegal to download, transmit, publish, or be in possession of child pornography for any reason. It is not illegal if you find yourself on one of these Websites, exit it, and report it. However, if you surf such Websites on an ongoing basis for the purpose of reporting, there is the potential to attract the attention of your Internet Service Provider and the authorities. We do not recommend this, but we do encourage everyone that comes across such sites to report them immediately thereafter."
ASACP does not to respond to questions that are answered on the FAQ page, Irvine said, nor do they respond to e-mail reports, but those reports will be investigated and responses sent only if the report is made by way of the ASACP report form on site and including a valid e-mail return address.
"The ASACP staff has dealt with viewing these horrendous images on a daily basis since 1996. This is why we continue to automate the processes as funds become available," she said. "Next to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, ASACP receives more reports than most other international hotlines. If one considers that NCMEC is supported by the government (over $20 million of their $26 million budget) and the ASACP budget is less than 1 percent of this, what ASACP has done with limited resources and the support of the industry is quite incredible."
The group took one step to improve the FAQ section and help clarify it for viewers – they've engaged Darklady, the well-known adult writer, to review both the FAQ and the Reporting pages on the ASACP Website and to find ways to make it more user friendly.
“It is very important to consult the FAQ page before reporting a suspect site, especially if it is the first report you have made to ASACP," said ASACP compliance manager/site reviewer Tim Henning. "The answers to most common questions can be found there, as well as important information regarding how and where to report various types of suspected internet child pornography.”
For more information, visit ASACP on the Web or contact [email protected] or [email protected].
