ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book takes as its theme child pornography law within the context of the Internet. The impact and the role of the Internet in the production, dissemination and collection of child pornography have been assessed by a number of authors in recent years and there is a general consensus that 'the Internet has increased the range, volume, and accessibility of sexually abusive imagery, including child pornography. Paedophilia is commonly understood as a sexual preference or form of expression that involves fantasies and imaginings about sexual activity with children. Child pornography involving sexual abuse and exploitation of children is undoubtedly 'linked to child prostitution, child sex tourism and the trafficking of children for sexual exploitation'. It conveys that effective implementation, enforcement and harmonization of child pornography laws could nevertheless help to reduce the availability and dissemination of child pornography on the Internet substantially.
