#csem vent

Csem is also called csam (child sexual abuse material). Either is ok. I prefer csem bc it validates survivors who have difficulty seeing what happened as abuse. It used to be called cp (child pornography), but that term is inaccurate and harmful, so it's being replaced.

Legally speaking, in the US, csem:

is a visual representation (photo or video) or can be turned into one (undeveloped film or image data saved in a different format)

and shows a living person who can be identified as a minor (under 18)

and is a record of abuse ( including contact abuse and sexualized nudity)

It has to hit all 3 requirements.

There is a category of art that falls under current csem laws. It's sometimes referred to as "simulated." In order for a piece of art to fall under that category, it must be photorealistic. To you or I, it must genuinely look like csem. If it's obviously art, it isn't "simulated csem." It's just art. (Personally, I despise this regulation.)

Csem is almost never prosecuted. However, reporting matters.

If you know where the csem came from, or if it's a physical copy, please report it to the local child services department.

If it's online, and you're pretty sure it's from the US, please report it to NCMEC.

If it's online, and you're pretty sure it's from outside of the US... unfortunately, that's handled by a division of ICE. My recommendation is to report it to NCMEC and let them pass it off if necessary.