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.

Pornography Use and Sexual Offending: An Examination of Perceptions of Role and Risk

2021 ◽  
pp. 0306624X2110491
Author(s):  
Karen Holt ◽  
James Kissinger ◽  
Corey Spickler ◽  
Vicki Roush
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Central Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sexual Crimes ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Pornography Use ◽  
Abstinence Only

Despite no definitive relationship between pornography and sexual offenses, there exists an assumption that use plays a role in the commission of sexual crimes and may increase risk of recidivism. This has led to the development of post-release restrictions on adult media for those convicted of a sexual offense. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 101 incarcerated individuals convicted of a sexual offense to explore the central research questions: (1) What are the common themes among individual’s experiences regarding pornography and how do they construct the role of pornography in their offending? (2) How do they frame pornography use post-release and understand pornography use as related to risk of re-offense? A qualitative analysis revealed common themes regarding how individuals constructed pornography use and notions of risk. Strategic and targeted monitoring and supervision of those who perceive their pornography use as consuming and facilitating may be a more effective practice than abstinence-only blanket restrictions.

scholarly journals Veterans in Prison for Sexual Offenses: Characteristics and Reentry Service Needs

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 560-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea K. Finlay ◽  
Jim McGuire ◽  
Jennifer Bronson ◽  
Shoba Sreenivasan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sexual Offense ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Incarcerated Men ◽  
Veteran Status ◽  
Nationally Representative

Among prison-incarcerated men in the United States, more veterans (35%) have a sexual offense conviction than nonveterans (23%). Limited research has investigated factors explaining the link between military service and sexual offending. Nationally representative data from prison-incarcerated men ( n = 14,080) were used to examine the association between veteran status and sexual offenses, adjusting for demographic, childhood, and clinical characteristics. Veterans had 1.35 higher odds (95% confidence interval = [1.12, 1.62], p < .01) of a sexual offense than nonveterans. Among veterans, those who were homeless or taking mental health medications at arrest had lower odds and veterans with a sexual trauma history had higher odds of a sexual offense compared with other offense types. Offering mental health services in correctional and health care settings to address trauma experiences and providing long-term housing options can help veterans with sexual offenses as they transition from prison to their communities.

The Development and Validation of the Cognitions of Internet Sexual Offending (C-ISO) Scale

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 907-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Paquette ◽  
Franca Cortoni
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Item Response ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Classical Test Theory ◽  
Test Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sexual Activities ◽  
Sexual Offenses ◽  
Development And Validation

Tools designed to measure the cognitions of individuals who engage in sexual activities with children over the Internet are either based on knowledge about men who had committed contact sexual offenses or cognitive phenomena not specifically associated to offending behaviors. Thus, there is no validated tool specifically designed to assess the offense-supportive cognitions of men who use the Internet to sexually offend children. This study developed and validated the Cognitions of Internet Sexual Offending (C-ISO) scale. A sample of 241 men with online and contact sexual as well as with nonsexual offenses completed the C-ISO scale and its psychometric properties, and latent structure was analyzed using both Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT), resulting in a final version containing 31 items. The analyses indicate that the C-ISO has excellent psychometric properties and discriminates men with online sexual offenses from those with contact sexual and nonsexual offenses. Implications of the findings for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Screening for Child Sexual Exploitation in Online Sexual Health Services: An Exploratory Study of Expert Views

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. e30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Spencer-Hughes ◽  
Jonathan Syred ◽  
Alison Allison ◽  
Gillian Holdsworth ◽  
Paula Baraitser
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation

‘Losing track of morality’: understanding online forces and dynamics conducive to child sexual exploitation

2019 ◽  
pp. 87-116
Author(s):  
Elly Hanson
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Online Spaces ◽  
Big Picture ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

This chapter argues that the ideology of cyberlibertarianism, combined with organisational social processes and the impact of power, have contributed to tech corporations acting in ways that facilitate child sexual exploitation (CSE; both directly and indirectly). Relatedly, cyberlibertarianism has contributed to online spaces and processes being understood and approached as freer from social and moral concerns than others. Thus, the chapter specifically explores how the evolution, design, and control of the Internet and digital technology have been conducive to CSE. Four key (interrelated) online routes to increased CSE are highlighted involving online sex offending psychology, the online porn industry, online ‘escort’ agencies, and the interaction of social media and gaming platforms with adolescent developmental proclivities. Practice and policy implications of this ‘big picture’ perspective of online contributors to CSE are then explored.

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.

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