So from some choice examples I've seen on the fediverse, I think It is less a replacement for abusive material as a stand-in in public venues for the more illeg

So from some choice examples I've seen on the fediverse, I think It is less a replacement for abusive material as a stand-in in public venues for the more illegal stuff they trade in private. You will find examples (please don't go looking, mind you) on unmoderated servers of users sharing AI generated CSAM who proudly declare themselves as "pro-c" or pro-contact with minors. Which is to say, it might be a reasonable argument if it was indeed being used by people coping with a disorder in a less harmful way, but it appears to be more often a way to share their interest in abusing children.