What is Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)?
Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is a type of child pornography that refers to images or videos depicting sexual exploitation and abuse of children shared online.
In the United States, federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor less than 18 years old.
However, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) chooses to define material shared online as CSAM.
CSAM not only documents a victim’s trauma, but re-victimizes them every time the content is shared.
Child Sexual Abuse Materials and Social Media: A Glaring Issue
Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is unfortunately finding a home on some of the most popular social media sites.
Facebook and Instagram, in particular, are a few of the main platforms that predators use to distribute and share this content.
Facebook (Meta) has acknowledged the issue with CSAM on their platforms, publishing a research study that analyzes CSAM offenders and their communities.
While the company has addressed the issue, they have done little to halt this illegal activity.
While the crimes committed by users, in terms of sharing and distributing CSAM, can face justice in a criminal court, legal action against these social media companies is being considered for harboring the content and doing little to halt the illegal activity on their platforms.
CSAM distribution is a heinous crime, and social media companies cannot continue to sweep this issue under the rug.
It’s time for them to be held accountable.
Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) Lawsuits
Recently, there has been an interest in filing child sexual abuse material lawsuits against companies like Facebook and Instagram.
These claims allege that social media companies have been negligently facilitating the distribution of CSAM by failing to take adequate measures to prevent it from being shared on their platforms.
While these lawsuits are still being investigated, they highlight the serious harm that CSAM can cause to child victims and the need for responsible tech companies to do more to protect them.
Efforts to Prevent and Report CSAM on Social Media Sites
Despite the efforts of law enforcement and child protection organizations, the distribution of child pornography and child sexual abuse material (CSAM) remains a serious problem.
The ease with which social media platforms can be used to share images and videos has made it difficult to track and prosecute those who engage in this illegal activity.
Furthermore, the legally-protected status of free speech has made it easier for platform providers to evade responsibility for the content posted on their sites.
As a result, many child predators have been able to evade detection and continue to exploit children.
One way that advocates and victims may be able to fight back is by filing lawsuits against social media companies that allow CSAM to be distributed on their platforms.
These potential lawsuits are designed to hold these companies accountable and force them to take measures to prevent child sexual abuse.
Additionally, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children operates a CyberTipline that allows members of the public to report instances of child pornography and CSAM.
This information is then passed on to law enforcement agencies so that those responsible can be brought to justice.
While the fight against child sexual abuse is far from over, these efforts are helping to make progress in preventing the distribution of CSAM.
Resources for Victims of CSAM
Victims and their families are not alone in their fight to keep CSAM off of social media and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Below are resources available victims of CSAM and their families:
As awareness on CSAM distribution increases, more resources and help will become available for victims and their families.
NCMEC is in the process of forming a team of mental health therapists and guidance counselors, as well as guidance for legal experts interested in securing restitution for victims.
TorHoerman Law CSAM Lawyers: Accepting Clients for CSAM Lawsuit Claims
TorHoerman Law represents victims harmed at no fault of their own.
We’ve secured over $4 billion in compensation for our clients, and we’ll stop at nothing to ensure that all relevant defendants are found liable for the harm they’ve caused.
CSAM claims are tragic, and victims of CSAM distribution have had to live with the unacceptable re-victimization and sharing of their images and videos on the internet.
Our attorneys aim to put a halt to this and hold social media companies and any other relevant defendants accountable for their actions and inaction.
If you or a loved one are directly impacted by the distribution of CSAM on social media sites, contact TorHoerman Law for a free, no-obligation case consultation or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for a claim instantly.
Our team of expert attorneys promise to keep your information safe and secure, and we will treat your claim with the utmost care and respect it deserves.
Our goal is to protect children and their families, and to secure rightful compensation for any harm incurred.
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