Elliot Porter @elliot@qoto.org

It's no coincidence that many QAnon conspirators have turned out to be groomers - they're the ones who benefit when people fall for misinformation about abuse. That's why Prostasia and the prevention community rely on research and evidence to inform our approach.

There are two different sides when it comes to efforts to prevent child sexual abuse. One of them is committed to using research to find effective strategies for keeping kids safe. The other spends most of their time complaining about an acronym.

A common tactic of predators is to portray themselves as being "safe" or "the good guy". It's no wonder why so many of these "predator hunters" end up getting outed as predators themselves https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/31/canada-arrest-pedophile-hunting-group-explicit-images

Protecting children includes protecting them against bigotry

The #EARNIT Act and #KOSA "are not likely to substantially improve online safety for children, yet all could have the unintended effect of exposing children to more harm while eroding all users’ online experience and raising constitutional concerns." https://www.americanactionforum.org/insight/assessing-child-online-safety-legislation/

Supporting minor attracted people’s mental wellbeing helps protect children. By being understanding and accepting, we can help them to cope with their thoughts and feelings. #ChildProtection #MentalHealthAwareness

"Grooming can be a legitimate issue. But, when it is used simply as an insult to stoke moral panic, the real issues are drowned out by outrage. This prevents discussions on prevention and non-carceral mental and behavioral health interventions." https://prostasia.org/blog/moral-panic-101-grooming-is-bunk/

"Texas legislators not only want to make sure no one can start a discussion on these topics, they also want to make sure no one can find one. That creates glaring free-speech issues with this bill and, if passed, the consequences would be dire." https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/03/texas-bill-would-systematically-silence-anyone-who-dares-talk-about-abortion-pills

"Teachers and school administrators are called “groomers” because they may teach sexual education in class, per a state’s health curriculum." https://prostasia.org/blog/moral-panic-101-grooming-is-bunk/

Children are better protected from sexual harms when they receive basic sexual education. This Florida proposal is a step in the wrong direction. https://www.vox.com/policy/2023/3/24/23649277/dont-say-period-florida-republicans-restricting-sex-education

“I wanted to do this show because I believe that raising awareness of minor-attracted persons can save children from abuse,” creator Eva-Maria Koskinen tells Variety. https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/aamu-film-company-rabbit-films-1235552137/

"EDRi recently surveyed 8,000 teenagers in EU countries. A majority of the respondents already use encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Signal, and 80% are uncomfortable with government scanning, even for the purpose of preventing child abuse." https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/03/sign-petition-and-tell-eu-legislators-dont-scan-us

Drag bans, bans on gender-affirming care, and sex doll bans are all examples of laws branded as "for the children" that have nothing to do with protecting children at all.

Children have a right to say they don't want to be touched. Regardless of who's touching them and where. Full stop.

"Shut out of online platforms, many sex workers went back to the street, where they’re at far greater risk of violence and exploitation." https://www.sfexaminer.com/forum/law-forces-sex-workers-back-onto-sf-streets/article_3eed72e8-c74e-11ed-a014-a753f4099253.html

Do you have a passion for making the world (and children) safer? Come volunteer for Prostasia. Sex workers & LGBTQ+ are encouraged to apply: https://forum.prostasia.org/t/three-top-priority-volunteer-roles-in-2023/3273

Only a small percentage of mandatory child abuse reports reveal actual maltreatment, and BIPOC families are more likely to be reported and end up in the child welfare system. This webinar discusses alternatives. https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BtP7Q4uTR22MobfMfcXGjA

If you wouldn't want your neighbor watching how your kid uses the internet through their window, then you should oppose "child protection" bills that would give the government expanded surveillance powers. Surveillance is always creepy--including when the government does it.