terminology: cp versus csem

## terminology: cp versus csem

#### 27 May 2019
from celibate pedophiles

### ethan edwards

| I have a whole series of posts on child pornography, often abbreviated as CP. Another more recent phrase for this is "child sex exploitation material", abbreviated as CSEM. Ethan Edwards is the co-founder of Virtuous Pedophiles. Blog posts reflect his personal views, and are not statements from the organization. I have a whole series of posts on child pornography, often abbreviated as CP. Another more recent phrase for this is "child sex exploitation material", abbreviated as CSEM.Certain earnest people will attack any writing which refers to CP. The objection is that pornography implies sexual enjoyment and consent of the actors or actresses involved. What is depicted in CP is instead the sexual exploitation of children, they argue, and it is vital to refer to it as such. You even read suggestions that anyone referring to "child pornography" is trying to minimize the harm to children from such material. It looks like some such people think anyone using the term "child pornography" — or anyone who doesn't instantly agree to using CSEM when it is offered to them — is not worth talking with. They are the Other or the Enemy. I do not accept that the term "pornography" implies willing actors or actresses. All it refers to is material that is produced for purposes of sexual arousal. "Child pornography" implies that the people depicted are children. That's all. The term itself doesn't make any moral judgment. That doesn't mean anyone using it thinks it's good. It's just that you don't have to use terms with moral judgments built in, and productive discussion may be easier if you don't. Consider for comparison the words "killing" and "murder". Killing does not make any moral judgment, while "murder" implies that it was morally wrong. Consider a controversial sort of killing — capital punishment. Opponents call it "state-sanctioned murder". Supporters would reject that characterization, as they would feel it is just. Suppose opponents refuse to talk with anyone who calls it simply "capital punishment" without the "murder" part included. This is a guarantee that no discussion will happen. It seems counter-productive. Suppose that those who oppose Donald Trump settled on a new name for him: "evil, despicable Trump", or EDT for short. They might insist that no one can simply refer to Donald Trump, because that implies he is not evil and despicable. This surely is a way to not have any conversation with someone who has entertained the idea that Trump has some good qualities. In the case of CP, the problem is not so much the basic moral judgment as the fact that there is great variety in what is included under that label. Some concepts have a better-defined center than edges, and I think CP may be a case. At the center of "CP" is video of a child crying as she or he is brutalized sexually. That is clearly wrong. Hardly anyone would disagree. In that case "child sexual exploitation material" might if anything seem too bland. The problem comes around the edges. Virtual CP is made without any real children, but just computer graphics. Cartoon depictions of children involved in sex is CP. There are cases of young teens who take sexually explicit images of themselves, perhaps to send to a lover. Some people would classify fictional text-only stories about children as CP. In some jurisdictions all of those things are illegal, but I believe none of them qualifies as child sex exploitation material. Others might disagree, but we can't even have the discussion as long as "it's immoral" is included in the term we use to talk about it. "Child pornography" is one concept. When "exploitation" is part of any term for it, that is two concepts. It hurts clear thinking rather than helps. I dislike the phrase "child sex exploitation material" and refuse to give up the phrase "child pornography". In general I have a serious problem any time a group tries to change the use of language for political purposes and insists others accept those changes. About the author: Ethan Edwards is a pseudonym. I am a pedophile, always celibate, and I have never seen child pornography. My attraction is strongest to girls around 4 years old, but I am also attracted to girls and women up through their 30s or beyond. Now in my late 60s, I'm divorced and living alone. I was married for over 10 years and was heavily involved with raising my 3 daughters. For most of my career I was a successful software engineer. I am very unusual for a pedophile in that I didn't realize that I was one until I was in my 50s—but it was there all along. I am angry that we all must remain silent or risk losing everything. That was my mindset when I co-founded Virtuous Pedophiles in 2012. I soon learned of the the terror of the typical pedophile who realizes as a teenager that his attraction isn't going to go away, who has nowhere to turn for help. The injustice I am most passionate about is the harsh legal penalties imposed on pedophiles who passively view illegal images of children. I stepped down from my role as a director of Virtuous Pedophiles early in 2024 and am delighted to pass the mantle on to a younger generation. This content was taken from Ethan's longstanding blog, Celibate Pedophiles. Some of the titles and taglines have been edited for their inclusion at thepword. You can see an earlier version of the blog at the wayback machine. |

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pedophiles need to avoid more than sex |  | of monsters and mirrors |  | not just prayer
ethan edwards If any adult voluntarily comes into a child's life, we can naturally hold them to a hig standard, and that is the minimum standard pedophiles should set for themselves. |  | ender Part of what inspired me, was this deep desire that before I died, I would make some mirrors so that kids like me might see themselves reflected back. |  | shane montgomery Listen to former pastor and current recovery coach Shane Montgomery as he talks to Candice about his past sex offense, being a sex/porn/love addict and the importance of having a solid recovery plan (not just prayer) to keep oneself safe in their community.

pedophiles need to avoid more than sex ethan edwards If any adult voluntarily comes into a child's life, we can naturally hold them to a hig standard, and that is the minimum standard pedophiles should set for themselves.
of monsters and mirrors ender Part of what inspired me, was this deep desire that before I died, I would make some mirrors so that kids like me might see themselves reflected back.
not just prayer shane montgomery Listen to former pastor and current recovery coach Shane Montgomery as he talks to Candice about his past sex offense, being a sex/porn/love addict and the importance of having a solid recovery plan (not just prayer) to keep oneself safe in their community.