A methodology for profiling paraphilic interest in Child Sexual Exploitation Material users on peer-to-peer networks

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a novel methodology for profiling paraphilic interest in the search behaviour of users of online "Peer-to-peer" networks-a major vector for the exchange of Child Sexual Exploitation Material. The profiling methodology focuses on problematic paraphilic interests, involving illegal or non-consensual activities associated with the sexual victimisation of children. This work extends an earlier typal analysis carried out by Hammond, Quayle, Kirakowski, O'Halloran and Wynne (2009) in which a distinct problematic paraphilic typology was uncovered in the search behaviours of Peer-to-peer users. The methodology described focuses on the subsequent development of a Latent Class Model that underpins the operation of the profiling application. The composite profiling process is described. Finally, we discuss the prospective applications of this profiling process and the implications of our methodological design. We identify a series of recommendations for future research and for the design of profiling and risk appraisal processes with application to online CSEM offending behaviour.

Why internet users’ perceptions of viewing child exploitation material matter for prevention policies

“…Yet, while government and non-government agencies, together with multinational corporations (e.g. Google), have been successful in reducing the availability and accessibility of CEM on open access areas of the internet (Ward, 2013; Westlake & Bouchard, 2016), CEM remains ‘endemic’ (Brennan & Hammond, 2016, p. 2) and ‘extremely accessible’ (Chertoff & Simon, 2015, p. 5) in popular online spaces. These include peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks (Brennan & Hammond, 2016; Wolak, Liberatore, & Levine, 2013) – where unsolicited opportunities to view CEM can be provided (see Prichard, Spiranovic, Watters, & Lueg, 2013, p. 996) – and adult pornography websites (Fortin, Paquette, & Dupont, 2018, p. 35; Ray, Kimonis, & Seto, 2014).…”

“…Hitikasch et al., 2016); and (b) opportunities to view CEM are known to occur on P2P networks (e.g. Brennan & Hammond, 2016) and adult pornography websites (e.g. Fortin et al., 2018, p. 35).…”

Prioritizing Indecent Image Offenders: A Systematic Review and Economic Approach to Understand the Benefits of Evidence-Based Policing Strategies

“…The scale of the IIOC sex offending problem, both now and in the long term, has prompted multidisciplinary research in the area, with collaborations between academics and police forces to help improve detection and direct the allocation of policing resources to the most concerning cases. Researchers such as Steel ( 2009 ), Hughes et al ( 2006 ) Brennan, Hammond and colleagues (Hammond et al, 2009 ; Brennan and Hammond, 2011 , 2017 ) are beginning to explore the investigative and inferential value of examining pedophilic-related search terms and other online behavior amongst IIOC offenders. Hammond et al ( 2009 ) and Brennan and Hammond ( 2017 ) for example, suggest that there is evidence of quite discrete paraphilic sexual interests to be found in offenders' online behavior.…”

“…Researchers such as Steel ( 2009 ), Hughes et al ( 2006 ) Brennan, Hammond and colleagues (Hammond et al, 2009 ; Brennan and Hammond, 2011 , 2017 ) are beginning to explore the investigative and inferential value of examining pedophilic-related search terms and other online behavior amongst IIOC offenders. Hammond et al ( 2009 ) and Brennan and Hammond ( 2017 ) for example, suggest that there is evidence of quite discrete paraphilic sexual interests to be found in offenders' online behavior. Their analysis of 119,869 search terms and 3,000,000 records (representing one week of activity on a P2P site) revealed seven class taxonomy of paraphilic use; indicating the presence of distinct paraphilic sub-communities in the P2P network space (Hammond et al, 2009 ).…”

Exploring the educative role of judges’ sentencing remarks: an analysis of remarks on child exploitation material

“…Increasingly, individuals with otherwise 'ordinary profile' (Wortley & Smallbone, 2012, p. 49), discussed in more detail below, are viewing CEM on their personal computers, smartphones and tablets (Steel, 2015). This material is found in a range of online spaces, including websites, image hosting services and peer-to-peer (P2P) networks (Brennan & Hammond, 2017;Internet Watch Foundation, 2016). The sheer amount of CEM accessible and available online has led Wortley and Smallbone (2012, p. 3) to describe demand for CEM as 'supply-led'.…”