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Child Pornography’s Crime Fighters Bear Scars of Traumatic Investigations

Law enforcement officers who are exposed to child pornography as part of their investigative work report experiencing mental health problems that impact both their work and home lives, according to new research from the University of New Hampshire Crimes against Children Research Center.

“Many people may not be aware of how many law enforcement personnel are exposed to disturbing images of children being sexually victimized when they investigate child pornography crimes. This is a new kind of stress for police that needs to be addressed,” says Janis Wolak, JD, senior researcher at the Crimes against Children Research Center.

“Some law enforcement executives may not realize how distressing it can be to view the evidence in these cases; it can include hundreds of pictures and videos. This bulletin is designed to raise awareness and understanding and provide some helpful suggestions from agencies that are confronting this problem,” Wolak says.

Researchers surveyed more than 500 Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force commanders and liaisons to ICAC affiliates. Participants represented local, county, state, and federal law enforcement from across the United States. All respondents had been exposed to child pornography during investigations of crimes involving child sexual exploitation.

The researchers found:

• About one half of the survey participants were concerned about the psychological impacts of work exposure to child pornography.
• Thirty-five percent of ICAC Task Force participants and 10% of those from affiliates had seen problems arising from work exposure to child pornography.
• Close to 40% of participants thought more mental health services were needed in their agencies.
• Few agencies gave information about possible related stresses to personnel who viewed child pornography.
• Some participants said their work was not supported and respected within their agencies.
• Lack of forensic capacity, obsolete equipment, and training were concerns for some agencies.
• Most participants found their work satisfying, but with some reservations.

A number of respondents reporting experiencing personal, family, and marital, and work-related problems as a result of their exposure to child pornography.

Work‐related problems included anger, loss of objectivity, and drops in productivity. One respondent said, “In general, everyone seems to be shocked and disgusted at what they have to view. This usually turns into anger at the suspect.”

— Source: University of New Hampshire