The legal definition of child pornography is, at best, unclear. In
part because of this ambiguity and in part because of the nature of
the crime itself, the prosecution and sentencing of perpetrators,
the protection of and restitution for victims, and the means for
preventing repeat offenses are deeply controversial. In Refining
Child Pornography Law, experts in law, sociology, and social work
examine child pornography law and its consequences in an effort to
clarify the questions and begin to formulate answers. Focusing on
the roles of language and crime definition, the contributors
discuss the increasing visibility child pornography plays in the
national conversation about child safety, and present a range of
views regarding the punishment of those who produce, distribute,
and possess materials that may be considered child pornography.
