Pregledni rad
https://doi.org/10.25234/dosd/38968
FROM “CHILD PORNOGRAPHY” TO “CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL” (CSAM): THE NECESSITY OF TERMINOLOGICAL CHANGE IN SCIENTIFIC, LEGAL, AND PUBLIC DISCOURSE
Ivan Ćaleta
orcid.org/0009-0004-5409-8821
; Centar za nestalu i zlostavljanu djecu Osijek, Bana Josipa Jelačića 83, 31220 Višnjevac, Osijek, Hrvatska
Sažetak
The widely used term ‘child pornography’ represents a linguistically and legally problematic construct that minimizes crime severity, implies consent, and stigmatizes victims. This paper argues for the necessity of replacing this term with ‘Child Sexual Abuse Material’ (CSAM). Based on an analysis of relevant literature, the paper deconstructs the concept of pornography in order to highlight its incompatibility with contexts involving child sexual abuse. Conversely, CSAM is identified as a precise alternative that defines the material as evidence of a crime, placing the child victim at the center of analysis. The paper examines the evolution of international legal standards, from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to the Lanzarote Convention, which increasingly advocate abandoning the outdated terminology. Special focus is placed on the Republic of Croatia, where a critical analysis of Article 163 of the Criminal Code and official statistics reveals a significant discrepancy between national legal practice and international recommendations. Furthermore, the paper provides an overview of the psychosocial and technological context, including offender characteristics, the impact of abuse on victims, and the role of encryption technologies and the darknet. The conclusion offers specific recommendations for harmonizing Croatian legislation and institutional practice, emphasizing that adopting the term CSAM is crucial for protecting the dignity and rights of child victims.
Ključne riječi
child sexual abuse material (CSAM); child pornography; terminology; child sexual abuse; Criminal Code
Hrčak ID:
343999
URI
Datum izdavanja:
30.12.2025.
Posjeta: 628 *