Is it a crime to view a crime?

[10ClarionSt]

if it's a crime to view abuse of children, why is it not a crime to view abuse of adults? You can watch TV programmes every week where CCTV has captured people being kicked, punched and abused. What's the difference between that and it happening to children? Surely, it should be stopped?

[Ethel]

How on earth do you compare the two?

People who seek out footage of children being abused do so for sexual gratification.

I have seen on Crimewatch reconstructions of children being physically abused in a public place - the purpose of showing that is hopefully to catch the perpetrators.

[Abdulmajid]

Ethel, the poster has not mentioned sexual abuse which is naturally and criminally wrong.

However, I do not believe watching children physically abused is a crime (I am thinking youtube links of fights) etc.

I may be wrong, but to my knowledge yes you can watch a child physically abused.

But who in their right mind would not act upon that info?

[Abdulmajid]

I though I answered that.

No it is not a crime to view a crime. EXCEPT

1) Child Porn
2) And recently violent sexual acts (re Jane Longhurst law)
3) And I suppose dog fights in person (though not on DVD)

[Richard1966]

With the exception of acts of terrorism, knowledge of any other criminal act is not a crime in itself. Therefore viewing something would not be a crime. Child pornography is a specific criminal act so is different.

This is however more of a moral issue than a legal issue.