Consequences (from David)

David sent me this blog post. It is dated November 3, 2009.

David writes:

I received some paperwork about my case today. It was from the federal government and part of the document included a detailed account of my crime - receipt of child pornography. It is so hard to see the cold, hard facts in black and white. Most disturbing is the volume of images I had received throughout the years. Each image was of a child who had been subjected to some degree of sexual abuse. I can't overstate the remorse and regret I feel to have supported the crimes against these children by participating in the receiving of these images.

I pray for the victims/survivors of these terrible crimes. I also pray that something that we do will make a difference. Will help someone who was in my position to take the opportunity to stop supporting child pornography and reach out for help. You don't have to wait until you're facing 8-10 years in prison. Until you've lost your marriage, your kids, your career. If we can decrease the demand, we can make a difference. Please help spread the word. It is uncomfortable, but it is critical.

I didn't start out looking at child pornography. Many don't. I progressed from mainstream to child pornography over the course of years. As I became habituated to adult porn I found it took more deviant forms to have the same effect. Like a drug addict who starts with pot and progresses to heroin. As part of being accountable, turning our backs on pornography of any kind is the surest way to avoid the trap I chose to walk into. You can reach out to Twelve step programs, therapists, counselors and pastors to get help. This is all too serious an issue to ignore.

God bless,
David