That's a false dichotomy. If research conclusively showed that banning CSAM leads to an increase in actual sexual assaults against children, it wouldn't mean we should permit CSAM. Rather, it would suggest that the strategy needs to be reconsidered. F.i. shifting focus to the root cause instead of focusing solely on the media distribution.

I've no deeper knowledge on this matter, but couldn't acted, edited, and/or generated? If CSAM truly did help reduce crime rates then wouldn't you use it.

On the other hand, it might be that consuming CSAM triggers borderline people to seek it in real life.

What a foolish and unnecessarily vivid comparison. Thanks for your response.