Many child porn downloaders harmless, says expert

MANY people who download and store child pornography pose no risk to society and are likely to benefit from long-term counselling, a leading psychologist at the Granada Institute said yesterday.

Dr Patrick Randall, principal child psychologist at the institute, said the internet has created a breed of criminals who could be distinguished from paedophiles.

“The internet provides a refuge for those who lack interpersonal relationships and who seek to pursue activities that involve a high degree of intensity,” he said.