This study sought to identify principles to guide the development and implementation of initiatives that aim to prevent child sexual abuse material (CSAM) offending. It did so through a review of research on the implementation and effectiveness of initiatives that aim to prevent CSAM offending, and through input from an international expert advisory group.
Seven principles are described in this paper: the use of advertising campaigns; confidentiality and anonymity; an empathetic and non-judgemental approach; accessibility; training and support; tailored programs; and evaluation. These broad principles can act as a valuable resource for practitioners and policymakers.
References
URLs correct as at January 2024
*Sources included in the analysis
Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) 2022. 2021 ACCCE statistics. https://www.accce.gov.au/resources/research-and-statistics/statistics
Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) 2023. Mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect. https://aifs.gov.au/resources/resource-sheets/mandatory-reporting-child-abuse-and-neglect
Babchishin KM, Hanson RK & VanZuylen H 2015. Online child pornography offenders are different: A meta-analysis of the characteristics of online and offline sex offenders against children. Archives of Sexual Behavior 44(1): 45–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0270-x
Bailey A et al. 2022. Pathways and prevention for indecent images of children offending: A qualitative study. Sexual Offending: Theory, Research, and Prevention 17. https://doi.org/10.5964/sotrap.6657
*Bates A, Williams D, Wilson C & Wilson RJ 2013. Circles South East: The first 10 years 2002–2012. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 58(7): 861–885. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X13485362
Beier KM 2016. Proactive strategies to prevent child sexual abuse and the use of child abusive images: Experiences from the German Dunkelfeld Project. In H Kury, S Redo & E Shea (eds), Women and children as victims and offenders: Background, prevention, reintegration. Springer: 499–524. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28424-8_19
*Beier KM et al. 2009. Encouraging self-identified pedophiles and hebephiles to seek professional help: First results of the Prevention Project Dunkelfeld (PPD). Child Abuse & Neglect 33(8): 545–549. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2009.04.002
Bonta J & Andrews DA 2017. The psychology of criminal conduct, 6th ed. New York NY: Routledge
*Brown A et al. 2014. Call to keep children safe from sexual abuse: A study of the use and effects of the Stop It Now! UK and Ireland Helpline. London: NatCen Social Research. https://www.stopitnow.org.uk/our-impact/
Brown R 2023. Prevalence of viewing online child sexual abuse material among Australian adults. Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice no. 682. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. https://doi.org/10.52922/ti77239
*Coase P, Feechan R & Whitear D 2020. Stop It Now! 2019/20 IIOC deterrence campaign evaluation: Full evaluation report (version 7). London: Kantar
Cohen G & Harvey J 2015. The use of psychological interventions for adult male sex offenders with a learning disability: A systematic review. Journal of Sexual Aggression 22(2): 206–223. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600.2015.1077279
Di Gioia R & Beslay L 2018. Fighting child sexual abuse: Prevention policies for offenders: Inception report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2760/48791
Di Gioia R, Beslay L, Cassar A & Pawula A 2022. Classification criteria for child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention programmes. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2760/725913
Dowling C, Boxall H, Pooley K, Long C & Franks C 2021. Patterns and predictors of reoffending among child sexual offenders: A rapid evidence assessment. Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice no. 632. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. https://doi.org/10.52922/ti78306
Eisenberg M, Mulder J, van Horn J & Stam J 2014. Stop It Now! Helpline Netherlands: A study on its use and effects: English summary. Utrecht: de Waag. https://www.stopitnow.org.uk/our-impact/
*Engel J, Körner M, Schuhmann P, Krüger T & Hartmann U 2018. Reduction of risk factors for pedophilic sexual offending. Journal of Sexual Medicine 15(11): 1629–1637. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.09.001
Eradicating Child Sexual Abuse (ECSA) 2021. Stop It Now! UK and Ireland helpline. https://ecsa.lucyfaithfull.org/stop-it-now-uk-and-ireland-helpline
Eradicating Child Sexual Abuse (ECSA) 2017. Internet Sex Offender Treatment Programme. https://ecsa.lucyfaithfull.org/internet-sex-offender-treatment-programme
Frize MC, Griffith J, Durham R & Ranson C 2020. An evidence-based model of treatment for people with cognitive disability who have committed sexually abusive behaviour. In J Proulx, F Cortoni, LA Craig & EJ Letourneau (eds), The Wiley handbook of what works with sexual offenders: Contemporary perspectives in theory, assessment, treatment, and prevention. Hoboken NJ: John Wiley & Sons Ltd: 327–352. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119439325.ch19
Gannoni A, Voce A, Napier S, Boxall H & Thomsen D 2023. Preventing child sexual abuse material offending: An international review of initiatives. Research Report no. 28. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. https://doi.org/10.52922/rr78764
*Geary J, Lambie I & Seymour F 2010. Consumer perspectives of New Zealand community treatment programmes for sexually abusive youth. Journal of Sexual Aggression 17(2): 181–195. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552601003778693
*Grant B, Shields B, Tabachnick J & Coleman J 2019. ‘I didn’t know where to go’: An examination of Stop It Now!’s sexual abuse prevention helpline. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 34(20): 4225–4253. http://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519869237
Government of Canada 2021. Child abuse is wrong: What can I do? https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cj-jp/fv-vf/caw-mei/p13.html
Henry C 2020. Designing effective digital advertisements to prevent online consumption of child sexual exploitation material. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse 29(8): 877–899. http://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2020.1841354
Henshaw M, Arnold C, Darjee R, Ogloff J & Clough J 2020. Enhancing evidence-based treatment of child sexual abuse material offenders: The development of the CEM-COPE Program. Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice no. 607. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. https://doi.org/10.52922/ti04787
Henshaw M, Ogloff JRP & Clough JA 2018. Demographic, mental health, and offending characteristics of online child exploitation material offenders: A comparison with contact‐only and dual sexual offenders. Behavioral Sciences & the Law 36(2): 198–215. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsl.2337
Hirschtritt ME, Tucker D & Binder RL 2019. Risk assessment of online child sexual exploitation offenders. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law 47(2): 155–164
INHOPE 2020. Prevention initiatives report. Amsterdam: INHOPE. https://www.inhope.org/EN/articles/preventing-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation
Insoll T, Ovaska A & Vaaranen-Valonen N 2021. CSAM users in the dark web: Protecting children through prevention: Redirection survey report. Helsinki: Suojellaan Lapsia/Protect Children. https://protectchildren.fi/2021/09/23/redirection-survey-report/
*Konrad A, Amelung T & Beier KM 2018. Misuse of child sexual abuse images: Treatment course of a self-identified pedophilic past pastor. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy 44(3): 281–294. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2017.1366958
*KPMG 2014. Evaluation of New Street Adolescent Services: NSW Kids and Families final report. Sydney: NSW Health. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/parvan/hsb/Pages/new-street-services.aspx
*Lambie I, Geary J, Fortune C, Brown P & Willingale J 2007. Getting it right: An evaluation of New Zealand community treatment programmes for adolescents who sexually offend: Ka pu te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi: Summary report. Wellington: Ministry of Social Development. https://thehub.swa.govt.nz/resources/getting-it-right-an-evaluation-of-new-zealandcommunity-treatment-programmes-for-adolescents-who-sexually-offend-ka-pu-te-ruha-kahao-te-rangatahi/
*Lätth J et al. 2022. Effects of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy on use of child sexual abuse material: A randomized placebo-controlled trial on the Darknet. Internet Interventions 30: 100590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2022.100590
Levenson JS & Grady MD 2019. Preventing sexual abuse: Perspectives of minor-attracted persons about seeking help. Sexual Abuse 31(8): 991–1013. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063218797713
Lindsay W 2016. Theoretical approaches for sexual offenders with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In DP Boer (ed), The Wiley handbook on the theories, assessment, and treatment of sexual offending. Singapore: Wiley-Blackwell: 473–495. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118574003.wattso023
Lucy Faithfull Foundation 2024. Services. https://www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk/services.htm
Ly T, Dwyer GR & Fedoroff JP 2018. Characteristics and treatment of internet child pornography offenders. Behavioural Sciences and the Law 36(2): 216–234. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsl.2340
Macgregor S 2008. Sex offender treatment programs: Effectiveness of prison and community based programs in Australia and New Zealand. Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse Research Brief no. 3. Sydney: NSW Department of Justice and Attorney-General. https://www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/publications/sex-offender-treatment-programs-effectiveness-of-prison-and-community-based-programs-in-australia-and-new-zealand/
Malatest International 2019. Formative evaluation report: Specialist Sexual Harm Services. https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/initiatives/family-and-sexual-violence/specialist-services/evaluation-of-services.html
Merdian HL, Perkins DE, Dustagheer E & Glorney E 2020. Development of a case formulation model for individuals who have viewed, distributed, and/or shared child sexual exploitation material. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 64: 1055–1073. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X17748067
*Middleton D, Mandeville-Norden R & Hayes E 2009. Does treatment work with internet sex offenders? Emerging findings from the Internet Sex Offender Treatment Programme (i-SOTP). Journal of Sexual Aggression 15(1): 5–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600802673444
Napier S 2023. Age and circumstances of onset to child sexual abuse material viewing and characteristics of consumers: Findings from an anonymous survey of internet users (Doctoral thesis). University of Sydney. https://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/handle/2123/29961
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) 2022. CyberTipline 2022 report. https://www.missingkids.org/cybertiplinedata
Paquette S, Fortin F & Perkins D 2020. Online sexual offenders: Typologies, assessment, treatment and prevention. In J Proulx, F Cortoni, LA Craig & EJ Letourneau (eds), The Wiley handbook of what works with sexual offenders: Contemporary perspectives in theory, assessment, treatment, and prevention. Hoboken NJ: John Wiley & Sons: 311–326. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119439325.ch18
Parks A et al. 2020. Illegal online sexual behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic: A call for action based on experiences from the ongoing Prevent It Research Study. Archives of Sexual Behavior 49(5): 1433–1435. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-020-01750-7
Perkins D, Merdian H, Schumacher B, Bradshaw H & Stevanovic J 2018. Interventions for perpetrators of online child sexual exploitation: A scoping review and gap analysis. Child Sexual Exploitation Perpetrators Research Programme (Report 5). United Kingdom: Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse. https://www.csacentre.org.uk/app/uploads/2023/10/CSE-perpetrators-5-Interventions-for-perpetrators-of-online-CSE.pdf
Prichard J & Spiranovic C 2014. Child exploitation material in the context of institutional child sexual abuse: Report for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/research
Quadara A, O’Brien W, Ball O, Douglas W & Vu L 2020. Good practice in delivering and evaluating interventions for young people with harmful sexual behaviours. Research Report 18. Sydney: Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety. https://www.anrows.org.au/publication/good-practice-in-delivering-and-evaluating-interventions-for-young-peoplewith-harmful-sexual-behaviours/
RCIRCSA—see Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (RCIRCSA) 2017. Final report: Children with harmful sexual behaviours (vol 10). Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/children-harmful-sexual-behaviours
Seto MC & Eke AW 2015. Predicting recidivism among adult male child pornography offenders: Development of the Child Pornography Offender Risk Tool (CPORT). Law and Human Behavior 39: 416–429. https://doi.org/10.1037/lhb0000128
Shields RT et al. 2020. Help wanted: Lessons on prevention from young adults with a sexual interest in prepubescent children. Child Abuse and Neglect 105: 104416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104416
*Schuler M, Gieseler H, Schweder K, von Heyden M & Beier KM 2021. Characteristics of the users of Troubled Desire, a web-based self-management app for individuals with sexual interest in children: Descriptive analysis of self-assessment data. JMIR Mental Health 8(2): e22277. https://doi.org/10.2196/22277
Smallbone S, Marshall WL & Wortley R 2008. Preventing child sexual abuse: Evidence, policy and practice. Cullompton, Devon: Willan Publishing
Stop It Now! UK and Ireland nd. Confidential help and support. https://www.stopitnow.org.uk/
Tran NT et al. 2018. Words matter: A call for humanizing and respectful language to describe people who experience incarceration. BMC International Health and Human Rights 18: 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12914-018-0180-4
Troubled Desire 2020. Attracted to children? Here is anonymous help. https://troubled-desire.com/en/
US Department of Health & Human Services 2015. Mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect. https://www.hhs.gov/guidance/node/1567
Virtual Global Taskforce 2024. Technological tipping point reached in fight against child sexual abuse. https://nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/697-virtual-global-taskforce-ai-statement-jan-2024/file
World Health Organization 2022. What works to prevent online violence against children? Geneva: World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240062061