He is the sex offender that John Grisham defends and that has drawn the ire of many who actually understand the impact of child abuse. Viewing porn might not be as hands on an offense, but it is still an offense. Consumers of child porn create a demand for child porn, which creates child victims of sexual abuse. There is a reason people find this kind of behavior sick and disgusting and a reason most people wouldn't defend it.
Michael B. Holleman received a sentence of 3 years. Many victims of sexual abuse get a life sentence. Of course some recover, but the thing is when you abuse someone you don't know how long the effects will last. Some effects may not have a huge impact. But, the one effect that nearly all people who have been abused get is the lack of trust. For some it is an issue of not trusting anyone and they may become cut off from the world. For others it can be an issue of not trusting their own judgement. Either kind creates a horrible situation. Some end up not communicating with friends and family even, some are unable to find healthy relationships.
The lack of physical contact with the victim in no way makes this a victimless crime. It's like saying the person who hired a hitman didn't a very terrible thing. They just hired someone else to pull the trigger. That is what child porn consumers do, they hire someone else to pull the trigger. Fortunately the victims usually remain alive, often with suicidal tendencies, often with issues of self harm, and often with their skill sets crippled, some have a diminished capacity to go to school earn good grades and enter the job force at their highest potential. But, at least Michael B. Holleman was able to get his job back for his non-violent usage of child porn.
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