Bill to update child sex abuse material terminology should be a 'no-brainer', says senator

The Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022 will be voted on at third stage in the Seanad on Wednesday. Picture: iStock

Legislation to change terminology around the portrayal of child sex abuse material online will come before the Seanad this week.

The Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022 will be voted on at third stage in the Seanad on Wednesday.

It seeks to replace the term "child pornography" in legislation including the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 and the Child Trafficking and Pornography (Amendment) Act 2004.

One of the sponsors of the bill, senator Eileen Flynn, said the legislation should be a “no-brainer for the Government”, adding that bringing it in will not cost money and will “have a dramatic impact on the victims, the children". 

Ms Flynn says the use of the term “child pornography” implies that consent has been given, which a child is not in a position to give, she said.

Reflective of reality

She said the term “child sexual abuse material” is more reflective of the reality, and she believes that Irish law should echo that.

She also pointed to the Luxembourg guidelines, accepted by a group of 18 organisations including the UN, which advocate that nations should replace “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material”.

Mecpaths, an organisation which works to raise awareness of child trafficking in Ireland, has been supportive of the bill since its introduction three years ago.

The organisation's networks and communications manager, JP O’Sullivan, said: “The recognition of images of child sexual abuse for what they are is a significant step in acknowledging the harm, the abuse, and the exploitation of children.

"A child can never consent to their own exploitation, so a change in the terminology is crucial for the State in recognising this. We commend the senator for her efforts, and call on the support of all professionals working with vulnerable children to lend their support to this change."