California Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
It’s a deeply uncomfortable topic, but one that psychologists, addiction specialists, and criminal defense attorneys confront regularly: how men who never had a sexual interest in children can still end up consuming child sexual-abuse material (CSAM), often described in legal contexts as “child pornography.” What surprises many families—and even the men
accused—is that the pathway into this illegal content is often very different from what people assume. Most research-based explanations point to a combination of psychological vulnerabilities, compulsive internet behavior, and escalating patterns of adult pornography use, rather than any pre-existing sexual attraction to minors.
This doesn’t make the behavior acceptable—far from it. But understanding how people get there is crucial for developing effective treatment programs, preventing relapse, and ensuring that individuals in legal jeopardy receive fair and constitutionally sound representation.