La détermination de la peine par les juges est un processus complexe. Les circonstances aggravantes et atténuantes reliées à l’infraction et à l’accusé influencent la peine imposée. L’inclusion de certaines considérations légales est également nécessaire dans l’évaluation de la sentence. En effet, l’instauration de peines minimales obligatoires peut impacter la sévérité des peines imposées par les juges à travers le temps. Nous discuterons de la détermination de la peine d’une infraction particulière afin d’analyser et de comprendre plus en profondeur les facteurs qui la composent. Une infraction qui a largement pris de l’ampleur dans les deux dernières décennies est la pornographie juvénile (PJ). Cette infraction numérique a d’ailleurs subi des transformations au niveau légal, technologique et social. Cette étude vise à comprendre le processus décisionnel des juges lors de la détermination de la peine dans les cas de PJ au Canada. Il s’agit d’effectuer une analyse des circonstances légales et pénales sur lesquelles ils se basent. L’échantillon est formé de 168 jugements écrits et disponibles en accès libre faisant mention des sentences imposées par les juges pour des infractions de possession et/ou d’accès de PJ commises entre 1999 et 2019. Les différentes analyses effectuées permettent de constater une certaine variation de la sévérité des peines d’emprisonnement à travers les années. L’ajout des peines minimales obligatoires a fortement influencé cette variation. Mis à part cet ajustement, les résultats suggèrent que des circonstances mentionnées par les juges sont prises en compte lors de la détermination de la peine. Or, on remarque que la majorité des facteurs atténuants ne font pas varier la peine de prison imposée, à l’exception de la présence d’un support familial/amical chez le délinquant. Des facteurs aggravants sont considérés par les juges lors de la détermination de la peine, tel que le nombre de vidéos saisis, la présence d'antécédents judiciaires, l'investissement personnel du délinquant dans sa collection de PJ ainsi que l’absence de remords. Cette étude offre la première évaluation des facteurs déterminants de la peine des accusés de pornographie juvénile au Canada. / Sentencing is a complex process. Aggravating and mitigating circumstances related to the offence and the accused influence the sentence. The inclusion of certain legal considerations is also necessary in the assessment of the sentence. Indeed, the adoption of mandatory minimum sentences in Canada may impact the severity of sentences imposed by judges over time. We will discuss the sentencing of a particular offence to further analyze and understand the factors that compose it. One offence that has grown significantly in the last two decades is child pornography (CP). This digital offence has been subject to legal, technological, and social transformations. The purpose of this study is to understand the decision-making process of judges at sentencing in CP cases in Canada. The objective is to analyze the legal and penal circumstances on which they base their decisions. The sample is made up of 168 written judgments available in open access mentioning the sentences imposed by judges, for offences of possession and/or access of CP committed between 1999 and 2019. The various analyses conducted show a certain variation in the severity of prison sentences over the years. The addition of mandatory minimum sentences strongly influenced this variation. Apart from this adjustment, the results suggest that circumstances mentioned are considered during sentencing. However, we note that most mitigating factors do not vary the prison sentence imposed, except for the presence of a social support. Aggravating factors are considered by judges when determining the sentence, such as the number of videos seized, the presence of a criminal record, the offender's personal investment in his PJ collection and the absence of remorse. This study provides the first assessment of sentencing factors for child pornography accused in Canada.

Convergence of technology has made access to the Internet faster, easier and cheaper. Criminals, including paedophiles, child abusers and pornography traders make use of this technology to commit criminal offences. Computer Forensic Examiners (CFEs) are members of the Cyber Crime Unit, a professional, specialised unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS) who are responsible for computer forensic examination including the investigation of child pornographic images. The aim of the study was to seek understanding on what psychological effects the CFEs experienced when working with the images and was conducted from within the social constructionism and the narrative frameworks. The images had a severe impact on the CFEs as was clearly uncovered in the stories of six CFEs who participated in this study. The participants' stories were recorded and transcribed after which the application of thematic content analysis found that the participants all suffered similar negative effects. These findings were integrated with the findings of a focus group as well as with the findings of a similar study that was conducted during the same time by the Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire and resulted in identifying symptoms of trauma and stress experienced by the CFEs. Based on these results recommendations regarding the support for the CFEs were made. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Convergence of technology has made access to the Internet faster, easier and cheaper. Criminals, including paedophiles, child abusers and pornography traders make use of this technology to commit criminal offences. Computer Forensic Examiners (CFEs) are members of the Cyber Crime Unit, a professional, specialised unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS) who are responsible for computer forensic examination including the investigation of child pornographic images. The aim of the study was to seek understanding on what psychological effects the CFEs experienced when working with the images and was conducted from within the social constructionism and the narrative frameworks. The images had a severe impact on the CFEs as was clearly uncovered in the stories of six CFEs who participated in this study. The participants' stories were recorded and transcribed after which the application of thematic content analysis found that the participants all suffered similar negative effects. These findings were integrated with the findings of a focus group as well as with the findings of a similar study that was conducted during the same time by the Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire and resulted in identifying symptoms of trauma and stress experienced by the CFEs. Based on these results recommendations regarding the support for the CFEs were made. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Bien que les études comparant les consommateurs de pornographie juvénile et les agresseurs sexuels d’enfants se soient multipliées dans les dernières années, peu d’entre elles se sont spécifiquement penchées sur le type de matériel de pornographie saisi lors des arrestations. Dans cette étude, nous analysons un échantillon de 78 individus ayant été condamnés pour des infractions de pornographie juvénile, relativement à leurs caractéristiques socio-démographiques, leur histoire criminelle et le type de matériel de pédopornographie retrouvé en leur possession. Une comparaison de ces mêmes caractéristiques a été effectuée en distinguant les consommateurs de pornographie juvénile exclusifs, c’est-à-dire ceux qui n’ont pas d’antécédents pour d’autres délits sexuels, à ceux qui en possèdent. La régression logistique réalisée indique que les consommateurs ayant été condamnés pour d’autres délits sexuels sont plus âgés et plus nombreux à avoir vécu de la victimisation sexuelle dans l’enfance. Ils sont également plus nombreux à avoir été condamnés pour des délits de nature non sexuelle et à posséder du matériel de nudité représentant des garçons plutôt que des filles. Ils sont en revanche moins susceptibles de posséder du matériel de type atypique autre que la sexualisation d’enfants, d’avoir commis des délits non repérés et d’être engagés dans une relation conjugale. Bien qu’une validation ultérieure de ces observations et des recherches plus approfondies soient nécessaires, ces résultats suggèrent la présence de deux profils distincts de consommateurs en fonction du contenu possédé. / Although studies comparing child pornography users and sexual abusers have increased in recent years, few have focused specifically on pornography material seized by the police during the arrests. In this study, we analyze a sample of 78 individuals who have been convicted of child pornography offences in relation to their socio-demographic characteristics, criminal history, and seized child pornography material. A comparison of these same characteristics was made by distinguishing exclusive child pornography users, those who do not have a history of other sexual offences, from those who do. Logistic regression then indicates that consumers who have been convicted of other sexual offences are older and more likely to have experienced sexual victimization in childhood. They also are more likely to have been convicted of non-sexual offences and possessing nude material representing boys. Moreover, they are less likely to possess atypical material other than child sexualisation, to have committed unregistered offences and to be involved in a conjugal relationship. Although further validation of these observations and further research is required, these results suggest the presence of two distinct consumer profiles based on the content possessed.

Le développement des technologies de l’information et de la communication s’est accompagné de l’apparition de phénomènes violents et/ou infractionnels, qui se tiennent sur, ou grâce à, Internet. Existe-t-il une spécificité de ces conduites de cyberviolence, qui s’inscrivent dans ce que l’on nomme cyberespace ? La psycho-criminologie et la cyberpsychologie seront convoquées afin de proposer une réponse à cette question. Le présent travail étudiera, dans une approche clinique et qualitative, des situations d’infractions à caractère sexuel envers mineurs réalisées sur Internet. Ce travail proposera, à partir des données recueillies, une grille de lecture de la cyberviolence, qui s’intéressera au rapport du sujet auteur d’infractions avec la conduite infractionnelle, la victime, et le cyberespace. La cyberviolence naît d’une rencontre, celle d’un sujet vulnérable avec un cyberespace porteur d’opportunités. Il s’agira alors d’interroger cette rencontre, afin de saisir les processus et les dynamiques qui l’animent. / The development of information and communication technologies was followed by the emergence of violent and/or offensive phenomena that exist on or thanks to the Internet. Is there a specificity to these behaviors of cyberviolence, which are rooted in what one calls cyberspace? This question will be answered partly thanks to psycho-criminological and cyberpsychological theories. This work takes a close look at sex offences against minors on the Internet. Thanks to the collected data, this work will offer a perspective on cyberviolence, with an interest in the relationship between the offender and the offence, the victim, and cyberspace. Cyberviolence arises from an encounter between a vulnerable subject and a cyberspace bearing opportunities. This encounter will thus be questioned, in order to understand the process and dynamics it stems from.

There is a gap in research on the effectiveness of mandatory-€minimum sentences on the recidivism rates of federal child pornography offenders, resulting in policy that may be ineffective and costly. Relevant research can further understanding of criminogenic behavior that results in the exploitation of children and aid future policy making decisions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to better understand the relationship between federal sentencing and federal child pornographer recidivism. Central to this study is the research question of whether there exists a statistically significant difference between the likelihood of recidivism in 2 child pornographer cohorts that receive different sentences, probation or mandatory incarceration. The employed frameworks for this study were retributivism and the self-€regulation model. A quantitative analysis was used to examine the recidivism rates of the 2 different cohorts as well as the predictive value of various factors related to recidivism. The sample population consisted of 70 offenders convicted of a federal child pornography offense between 2012 and 2016 from 3 states and 7 federal judicial districts. Purposive sampling was employed via publicly available secondary data. Key findings revealed that the analyzed data does not support the existence of a relationship between recidivism and the given sentence. Second, crime of conviction was the only examined factor that supported predictability for future recidivism. The implications of this study will mean evidence for potential policy modifications, alteration of an existing economically draining strategy, and the positive social change of reduced harm and exploitation of children.

There is a gap in research on the effectiveness of mandatory-minimum sentences on the recidivism rates of federal child pornography offenders, resulting in policy that may be ineffective and costly. Relevant research can further understanding of criminogenic behavior that results in the exploitation of children and aid future policy making decisions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to better understand the relationship between federal sentencing and federal child pornographer recidivism. Central to this study is the research question of whether there exists a statistically significant difference between the likelihood of recidivism in 2 child pornographer cohorts that receive different sentences, probation or mandatory incarceration. The employed frameworks for this study were retributivism and the self-regulation model. A quantitative analysis was used to examine the recidivism rates of the 2 different cohorts as well as the predictive value of various factors related to recidivism. The sample population consisted of 70 offenders convicted of a federal child pornography offense between 2012 and 2016 from 3 states and 7 federal judicial districts. Purposive sampling was employed via publicly available secondary data. Key findings revealed that the analyzed data does not support the existence of a relationship between recidivism and the given sentence. Second, crime of conviction was the only examined factor that supported predictability for future recidivism. The implications of this study will mean evidence for potential policy modifications, alteration of an existing economically draining strategy, and the positive social change of reduced harm and exploitation of children.

This is a deconstruction of "child pornography" through an analysis of media images of child spanking and their relationship with the criminal law and cinema, video and broadcasting regulation in Britain and Canada. It suggests that the law's primary concern is not the protection of children but the elimination of the heresy that children are sexually attractive. Chapter 1 introduces the phenomenon under discussion, namely internet sites that collect stills and clips from mainstream movies and television showing children receiving corporal punishment. The chapter postulates that these sites are for sexual gratification and explores what society understands by "sexual exploitation of children" and "sex" itself. Part I considers whether the web sites are child pornography under English or Canadian criminal law. Chapter 2 looks at Canada's definitions of obscenity and child pornography. Chapter 3 asks whether the images might be indecent according to England's law. These chapters examine the law's understanding of child spanking as a sexual act, exploring what constitutes "sex". While Part I declines to state definitively whether such web sites are illegal, it argues that the movies and television from which the images originate are tolerated for the reasons that give the images sexual appeal. Part II looks at the regulation in Canada and Britain of the movies and television from which the images are taken. Chapter 4 deals with cinema and video regulation, which prohibits eroticising violence and children, and asks how films are nevertheless rife with images of child beating used for sexual arousal. Chapter 5 similarly examines broadcasting regulation and asks whether the ban on sexualising children might be unconstitutional under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Part III concludes by looking at how society permits the eroticisation of children, while condemning the "paedophile". It suggests that the web sites may arise from childhood trauma over corporal punishment, compares the harm of that practice with that caused by the web sites and concludes that if there be prohibition, then it should be of child spanking, rather than the sites, which are non-exploitative testament to ingenuity in the face of a hypocritically censorial regime.

This is a deconstruction of "child pornography" through an analysis of media images of child spanking and their relationship with the criminal law and cinema, video and broadcasting regulation in Britain and Canada. It suggests that the law's primary concern is not the protection of children but the elimination of the heresy that children are sexually attractive. Chapter 1 introduces the phenomenon under discussion, namely internet sites that collect stills and clips from mainstream movies and television showing children receiving corporal punishment. The chapter postulates that these sites are for sexual gratification and explores what society understands by "sexual exploitation of children" and "sex" itself. Part I considers whether the web sites are child pornography under English or Canadian criminal law. Chapter 2 looks at Canada's definitions of obscenity and child pornography. Chapter 3 asks whether the images might be indecent according to England's law. These chapters examine the law's understanding of child spanking as a sexual act, exploring what constitutes "sex". While Part I declines to state definitively whether such web sites are illegal, it argues that the movies and television from which the images originate are tolerated for the reasons that give the images sexual appeal. Part II looks at the regulation in Canada and Britain of the movies and television from which the images are taken. Chapter 4 deals with cinema and video regulation, which prohibits eroticising violence and children, and asks how films are nevertheless rife with images of child beating used for sexual arousal. Chapter 5 similarly examines broadcasting regulation and asks whether the ban on sexualising children might be unconstitutional under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Part III concludes by looking at how society permits the eroticisation of children, while condemning the "paedophile". It suggests that the web sites may arise from childhood trauma over corporal punishment, compares the harm of that practice with that caused by the web sites and concludes that if there be prohibition, then it should be of child spanking, rather than the sites, which are non-exploitative testament to ingenuity in the face of a hypocritically censorial regime. / Law, Peter A. Allard School of / Graduate

The current thesis examines how sex offenders are portrayed in newspapers in Germany with the use of a qualitative content analysis. Utilized were 49 articles both from a German tabloid called “Bild-Zeitung” and a broadsheet called “die Zeit”. Three main themes were identified and analyzed. Initially, the focus was on the portrayal of the sex offenders, followed by the portrayal of the victims and lastly which agencies and how they were mentioned. For each main theme several subthemes were formulated in order to examine the main themes in more depth. Findings suggest that most articles emphasized the previous criminal history of the offenders and stressed negative personality traits, leaving a stereotypical image. Findings of the second theme indicate that victims are rarely blamed for the offenses, while empathy establishment was emphasized through the use of the detailed description of the brutality of the offenses, especially for cases with underaged victims. The analysis of the last theme showed that police and investigators were portrayed mostly as doing a good job and working effectively in investigations, whereas experts like social workers, psychologists or lawyers were interviewed in less articles. The opinion of politicians and the public opinion mostly emphasized the demands for harsher punishment and longer incarceration. Therefore, the majority of articles examined showed a stereotypical image of the offenders, portraying them as recurrently reoffending,opportunistic and brutal.