If child porn is found by computer repair shop, what should they do?

[Just Blue]

Who said anything about rape?

Why is it wrong for me to worry that this guy might come after me and my family if he remains free, which certainly seems likely. And I'm sorry if my not being able to earn a living (being pulled away from work) and pay for the food that feeds my family isn't a 'good' reason to be concerned.

If you were ordered to testify you would not lose pay. But please...tell me...If you viewed a 3 year old being forced to give a ....job ...Would you call the police? What does your moral compass tell you?? What age is it "okay" for a minor to be exploited?

 

[Alex1176]

Guys, it's really not a black/white situation. There are a lot of factors to be considered. What kind of porn is it? Maybe it just a picture of a naked baby which could be his son, or sex between 16-17 old teens?
Who is the owner of the PC? Is there a real potential of severe violence? Is there a way to report anonymously?
With all the respect to the struggle against child porn, we need to take into consideration the security of our families too.

 

[JPHenderson]

If you were ordered to testify you would not lose pay. But please...tell me...If you viewed a 3 year old being forced to give a ....job ...Would you call the police? What does your moral compass tell you?? What age is it "okay" for a minor to be exploited?

Yes, I would lose pay - if I'm not at work nothing happens so no money is made.

Yes, I certainly would report something if I was seeing it actually happen. No question about that at all.

The difference here is that this guy didn't do these things. He just downloaded video of it. It's sick, yes. But do I chance my families well being on reporting the fact that he watches videos he found on the internet?

 

[mistoffolees]

Yes, I would lose pay - if I'm not at work nothing happens so no money is made.

Yes, I certainly would report something if I was seeing it actually happen. No question about that at all.

The difference here is that this guy didn't do these things. He just downloaded video of it. It's sick, yes. But do I chance my families well being on reporting the fact that he watches videos he found on the internet?

You're willing to chance your family's well-being on the possibility that you'll go to jail for failure to report a crime?

 

[JPHenderson]

Guys, it's really not a black/white situation. There are a lot of factors to be considered. What kind of porn is it? Maybe it just a picture of a naked baby which could be his son, or sex between 16-17 old teens?
Who is the owner of the PC? Is there a real potential of a severe violence? Is there a way to report anonymously?
With all the respect to the struggle against child porn, we need to take into consideration the security of our families too.

They are young. The titles claim they are under 10. No way to know if that's true of course. I certainly didn't watch all of them. I watched part of one to make sure it wasn't just B.S. - a title that had nothing to do with the video.

I have no idea about violence potential. I don't know the guy. I am certainly worried about it though. My name is on my cards and all over the business and I am listed in the phone book which means he can easily find my house if wants to.

I would love to report it anonymously. I can't think of any way for that to work though. The police aren't likely to get a search warrant to look at his PC based on an anonymous tip. Can anyone think of a way to make an anonymous report work?

 

[JPHenderson]

You're willing to chance your family's well-being on the possibility that you'll go to jail for failure to report a crime?

Considering the extremely small possibility of that happening, yes. That isn't even a concern to be honest. Unless he is a cop trying to entrap me this just ins't an issue.

My concern is stopping this sick guy, but without putting my family in physical danger from him.

 

[Alex1176]

They are young. The titles claim they are under 10. No way to know if that's true of course. I certainly didn't watch all of them. I watched part of one to make sure it wasn't just B.S. - a title that had nothing to do with the video.

I have no idea about violence potential. I don't know the guy. I am certainly worried about it though. My name is on my cards and all over the business and I am listed in the phone book which means he can easily find my house if wants to.

I would love to report it anonymously. I can't think of any way for that to work though. The police aren't likely to get a search warrant to look at his PC based on an anonymous tip. Can anyone think of a way to make an anonymous report work?

Does the name of the file clearly says that this is a child porn?
Does checking those files was part of your job?
What caused you to open the file?

 

[JPHenderson]

Does the name of the file clearly says that this is a child porn?
Does checking those files was part of your job?
What caused you to open the file?

1) Yes
2) No
3) the file names were scrolling across the screen during a backup (requested by customer) and grabbed my attention

 

[CSO286]

Guys, it's really not a black/white situation. There are a lot of factors to be considered.

Uhh....yeah it is. Quite simple in fact. Would you condone YOUR CHILD participating in those....activities?

What kind of porn is it? Maybe it just a picture of a naked baby which could be his son, or sex between 16-17 old teens?

There is a HUGE Difference between "naked baby" pics--of which I have several of LittleCSO--first bath, toddler swimming, etc... and PORN.

Who is the owner of the PC? Is there a real potential of severe violence? Is there a way to report anonymously?

It's the sexual exploitation of children. Regardless of whether or not any violence is involved ot there is a potential for violence, it is illegal.

With all the respect to the struggle against child porn, we need to take into consideration the security of our families too.

And it's that "As long as no one I know directly who is getting hurt, it okay by me" attitude that alows this industry to fluorish. All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing. After all, "It's not hurting me."

 

[mistoffolees]

Considering the extremely small possibility of that happening, yes. That isn't even a concern to be honest. Unless he is a cop trying to entrap me this just ins't an issue.

My concern is stopping this sick guy, but without putting my family in physical danger from him.

You already admitted that you have no reason to believe that your family would be in danger. Heck, the guy wouldn't even know who turns him in until the trial.

You're simply rationalizing. You don't have any legitimate reason NOT to turn him in and the law requires you to.

 

[FlyingRon]

I haven't done a state-by-state search, but IIRC, MOST states require it to be reported, so readers in other states should be aware that they have the obligation to report it. I believe that the same thing applies to photo processing labs.

For a state by state list of the statutes, try here:
http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=13460

 

[JPHenderson]

Heck, the guy wouldn't even know who turns him in until the trial.

How on earth do you figure that? The police get his computer from me and arrest him. How does he not know it was me?

 

[JPHenderson]

(b) If an electronic and information technology equipment worker discovers any depiction of child pornography while installing, repairing, or otherwise servicing an item of electronic and information technology equipment, that worker or the worker's employer shall immediately report the discovery to the local law enforcement agency or to the Cyber Tipline at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.[/INDENT][/I]

I just re-read this and am checking out the Tipline. It appears that I could report it on the site anonymously. I just don't know what they'll do with the info - will someone actually contact the guy and try to stop him? Or will it just sit in a file somewhere and do nothing? If it just sits, it would fulfill my legal obligation, but not do much for my moral obligation.

 

[Just Blue]

I just re-read this and am checking out the Tipline. It appears that I could report it on the site anonymously. I just don't know what they'll do with the info - will someone actually contact the guy and try to stop him? Or will it just sit in a file somewhere and do nothing? If it just sits, it would fulfill my legal obligation, but not do much for my moral obligation.

For Goodness SAKE! Grow a ball or two.

 

[Zigner]

The difference here is that this guy didn't do these things. He just downloaded video of it.

Oh, I see. It's different because he only feeds the demand for the videos. <spit>