Internet sexual offender laws

Abstract

While Internet sexual offenses represent only about ten percent of all sex offenses in the U.S., arrests and prosecutions for Internet sex offenders, both child pornography and solicitation offenses, are increasing and may continue to grow as technological advances increase the speed and anonymity of trading illegal pornography online. Internet sexual offenses are also a major concern in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, where legislation similar to that enacted in the U.S. has been passed in order to prosecute Internet sex offenders and to deter future Internet sex offenses. This chapter will review the history of Internet sex offense legislation in the United States and globally, as well as the controversies and dilemmas related to the investigation and prosecution of Internet sex offenses.