Applying Offending Trajectory Analyses to Men Adjudicated for Child Sexual Exploitation Material Offenses

2021 ◽  
pp. 009385482110408
Author(s):  
Kelly M. Babchishin ◽  
Angela W. Eke ◽  
Seung C. Lee ◽  
Nicole Lewis ◽  
Michael C. Seto
Keyword(s):  
Early Intervention ◽  
Sexual Interest ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Criminal Careers ◽  
Sexual Crimes ◽  
Violent Offending ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
First Contact

We applied offending trajectory analyses to 387 men adjudicated for child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offenses. After an average of 20 years, we found two trajectories of sexual offending and violent offending: one that peaked in late adolescence and was associated with higher rates of crimes, and one that peaked in the 30s and was associated with a lower rate of crime. We found four trajectories when modeling any crime. The findings highlight the heterogeneity of men with CSEM offenses. Although lifelong patterns of numerous sexual crimes were uncommon, men with more sexual crimes had greater indicators of sexual interest in children and a younger age of first contact with police. CSEM offenses were rarely the first offense in their criminal trajectories. As such, early intervention targeting youth before they are further advanced in their criminal careers may also reduce future CSEM offending.

Child Sexual Exploitation Materials Offenders

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly M. Babchishin ◽  
Hannah L. Merdian ◽  
Ross M. Bartels ◽  
Derek Perkins
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Sexual Interest ◽  
Child Pornography ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Criminal History ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Antisocial Tendencies

Abstract. The downloading and possession of Child Sexual Exploitation Materials (CSEM; also referred to as child pornography and indecent images of children) is a commonly convicted type of Internet sexual offenses. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on CSEM offenders. We first provide a summary of the key motivations of CSEM offenders, characteristics of CSEM offenders compared to contact sexual offenders against children, and important facilitative factors. We then review the factors related to recidivism among CSEM offenders. Finally, we describe current developments in the risk assessment, police case prioritization, and treatment approaches for CSEM offenders. Generally, CSEM offenders hold a sexual interest in children, are low on antisocial tendencies, and pose a low risk to reoffend (including contact sexual offending). Key facilitative factors for CSEM offending include access to children, offense-supportive cognitions, and sexual arousal. Factors indicative of antisocial tendencies (e.g., criminal history) are associated with an increased risk of reoffending. Lastly, we address atypical sexual interest, socio-affective dysfunctions, and strategies for maintaining an offense-free lifestyle as key treatment targets for CSEM offenders. Lower treatment dosage, however, should be considered given CSEM-exclusive offenders’ lower risk level for contact sexual offenses. We hope that this review will inspire others to explore the current research gaps in future studies.

scholarly journals A Billion Distorted Thoughts: An Exploratory Study of Criminogenic Cognitions Among Men Who Sexually Exploit Children Over the Internet

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 1114-1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Paquette ◽  
Nicholas Longpré ◽  
Franca Cortoni
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Criminal Charges ◽  
Criminal Behaviors

There is evidence that endorsing a higher level of offense-supportive cognitions is associated with contact sexual offending. Such an association assumes the construct of cognitions as unidimensional, thus ignoring the possibility that specific subtypes of cognitions exist and that certain may be criminogenic. To investigate this possibility, this study aimed at examining the associations between criminal behaviors and cognitive themes found in the discourse of men who engage in sexual offenses against children over the Internet. Through the discourse of a sample of 60 men with online child sexual exploitation material and solicitation offenses, a previous study identified eight cognitive themes: Uncontrollability, Nature of harm, Child as sexual being, Child as partner, Dangerous world, Entitlement, Virtual is not real, and Internet is uncontrollable. These themes were not investigated for their criminogenic nature. Thus, in this study, bivariate analyses were used to determine whether these cognitive themes were linked to three indicators of criminal behaviors: the extent of criminal charges, the diversity of offending behaviors, and the nature of contact with victims. Results suggest that, taken as a whole, online sexual offense–supportive cognitions may not be criminogenic. Moreover, only cognitive themes related to antisocial orientation and atypical sexuality were found linked with criminal behaviors, although associations found remain limited. Findings and associated implications are further discussed for research and clinical purposes.

Offense-Supportive Cognitions Expressed by Men Who Use Internet to Sexually Exploit Children: A Thematic Analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 0306624X2090575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Paquette ◽  
Franca Cortoni
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
Sexual Activities ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Police Interviews ◽  
Offending Behavior

Although offense-supportive cognitions are related to the maintenance of contact sexual offending behavior, it is unknown whether this finding also applies to online sexual offending behavior. A few studies have examined the cognitions of men convicted for using child sexual exploitation material, but findings remain limited due to important methodological limitations. Furthermore, fewer studies have investigated the cognitions of men who use the internet to solicit sexual activities with children. The objective of this study was to examine the nature of the cognitions that support online sexual offending against children. The content of police interviews was analyzed using a thematic analysis to identify the cognitive themes present in the offense-related views expressed by 20 men who consumed child sexual exploitation material, 15 who sexually solicited children, and 18 who committed both types of online offenses. Results revealed eight cognitive themes that reflected four underlying themes related to interpersonal relationships, the sexualisation of children, perceptions of the self, and perceptions of the virtual environment. Findings indicate that while the cognitive themes of the three groups are similar, their specific content varies according to the types of offenses. Implications for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Developing a Typology of Child Sexual Exploitation Material Offending in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elsemiek Griemink
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Post Hoc

<p>Existing typologies of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offending are significantly limited as many have not been empirically developed or tested for their validity or reliability. Furthermore, their practical utility is limited, as many typologies classify individuals based only on the type of CSEM offending they engage in or are limited to a small number of variables. The current research addresses these issues by developing an exploratory typology of individuals who have engaged in CSEM offending using a data set of 557 individuals in New Zealand, who have been identified by the Department of Internal Affairs. A latent class analysis was conducted using their offence characteristics to identify distinct subgroups within the sample. Follow-up tests were conducted to evaluate how these groups differed on various individual characteristics to develop a more detailed understanding of the individuals within each group. Results found four distinct subgroups of individuals who varied according to their level of engagement with the material, technical capability, type of CSEM offending, and the type of material they searched for. Post-hoc tests also revealed significant differences in access to children, previous sexual offending, and previous CSEM offending between groups. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.</p>

scholarly journals Fantasy-Driven Versus Contact-Driven Users of Child Sexual Exploitation Material: Offender Classification and Implications for Their Risk Assessment

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah L. Merdian ◽  
Nima Moghaddam ◽  
Douglas P. Boer ◽  
Nick Wilson ◽  
Jo Thakker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Sex Offender ◽  
Sexual Interest ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Offender Treatment ◽  
Treatment Providers ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
A Minor

Since the advent of the Internet, convictions for the possession, display, trading, and distribution of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) have risen steadily, but little is known about their appropriate assessment and treatment, especially concerning their risk of reoffending. It has been suggested that a conceptual distinction of fantasy- versus contact-driven CSEM users might be of merit. Sixty-eight offenders recruited from sex offender treatment providers were assessed via an anonymous computer survey including a variety of clinical and risk-related variables; the findings showed differences in the psychological profiles between CSEM users and contact child sex offenders. Numerical and spatial methods of data analysis were used to identify subgroups of CSEM users; these confirmed the twofold distinction of fantasy- versus contact-driven offending. The spatial representation of participants identified three dimensions as crucial in the classification of these subgroups: direct sexual contact with a minor, possession of fantasy-generating material, and social contact with other users with a sexual interest in minors; potentially differentiating distinct offender subgroups with different risks and needs. The current study informed the development of an empirical model of CSEM users that could aid in the assessment of risk of reoffending and cross-over to contact sex offending.

scholarly journals Developing a Typology of Child Sexual Exploitation Material Offending in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elsemiek Griemink
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Post Hoc

<p>Existing typologies of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offending are significantly limited as many have not been empirically developed or tested for their validity or reliability. Furthermore, their practical utility is limited, as many typologies classify individuals based only on the type of CSEM offending they engage in or are limited to a small number of variables. The current research addresses these issues by developing an exploratory typology of individuals who have engaged in CSEM offending using a data set of 557 individuals in New Zealand, who have been identified by the Department of Internal Affairs. A latent class analysis was conducted using their offence characteristics to identify distinct subgroups within the sample. Follow-up tests were conducted to evaluate how these groups differed on various individual characteristics to develop a more detailed understanding of the individuals within each group. Results found four distinct subgroups of individuals who varied according to their level of engagement with the material, technical capability, type of CSEM offending, and the type of material they searched for. Post-hoc tests also revealed significant differences in access to children, previous sexual offending, and previous CSEM offending between groups. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.</p>

Profiling Darkweb Child Sexual Exploitation Material Forum Members Using Longitudinal Posting History Data

2021 ◽  
pp. 089443932199489
Author(s):  
Madeleine van der Bruggen ◽  
Arjan Blokland
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
English Language ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Communication Patterns ◽  
Developmental Pathways ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
History Data ◽  
Trajectory Modeling ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Observation Period

Darkweb fora dedicated to the illegal exchange of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) continue to thrive. Profiling forum members based on their communication patterns will increase our insights in the dynamics of online CSEM and may aid law enforcement to identify those members who are most influential and pose the highest risk. The current study uses data from a large English language Darkweb CSEM forum that was active between 2010 and 2014, containing over 400,000 posts. Posts were time stamped, categorized based on subforum topic, and linked to individual forum members by nickname. Group-based trajectory modeling was subsequently applied to derive forum member profiles based on members’ posting history. Analyses show that over the course of the observation period, overall activity levels—in terms of total number of posting members and the average number of posts per month per member—fluctuate substantially and that multiple developmental pathways—in terms of monthly patterns in the frequency of posts by individual members—can be distinguished. Theoretical and practical ramifications of these findings are discussed.

Child Sexual Exploitation: A Survey of Knowledge and Confidence of Healthcare Providers in Saskatchewan, Canada

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kira Nyhus‐Runtz ◽  
Payton Pederson ◽  
Adam Clay ◽  
Sarah Liskowich ◽  
Barb Beaurivage
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation
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