No such thing as 'just looking', psychologically.

(From Canberra Times)

Canberra psychologist Antoinette Harmer said yesterday there was no psychological distinction between people who viewed child pornography and child-sex offenders who physically abuse children.

''Psychologists don't differentiate between those who view child pornography and other child-sex offenders such as paedophiles. Most child-sex offenders will have multiple interests around offending against children, viewing child pornography is a category of that offending,'' she said. Ms Harmer - a practising clinical and forensic psychologist who is completing a doctorate in forensic psychology - said people who viewed child pornography were perpetuating the abuse on the victim.

''By enjoying those photos, and by gaining sexual gratification from the abuse of a child, they are supporting that abuse.'' And she said the spectrum of child- sex offenders was too broad to establish a classic offender profile.

''Child-sex offenders can come from any socio-economic status, from wealthy, well-educated backgrounds, to lower socio- economic backgrounds or people with little education. It's not possible to pick a child-sex offender by their intellect, or the job they do or their personality type.'' Ms Harmer said it was also difficult to ...