Characteristics and treatment of internet child pornography offenders

Abstract

In the realm of sexual offenses, there has been a decrease in hands-on offenses, but an increase in online offenses against children. The current issue is whether online and offline sexual offenders are alike or differ. This literature review investigates the differences among individuals who have committed child pornography offenses, individuals who have committed contact offenses against children, and individuals who have committed both. This review discusses the various typologies that have been proposed of those who have committed online offenses against children, the diagnostic implications of having committed child pornography offenses, and the current state of treatment and prevention of individuals who have committed online sex offenses against children. The studies examined were found from psychology databases, listserv links, and references of those collected articles. Only articles in English were included in the review. Overall, Internet child pornography offenders (ICPOs) tend to score significantly differently from contact offenders on various psychological measures. These findings may imply that ICPOs have different treatment needs than contact offenders.

A narrative review of research on clinical responses to the problem of sexual offenses in the last decade

“…In a sample of 584 offenders who committed Internet child pornography offenses (with no known prior or current contact sex offenses), the rate of sexual recidivism was found to be 2.7% for sexual reconvictions after 5 years, and 10.1% for sexual reconvictions after a 13‐year mean follow‐up (Elliott, Mandeville‐Norden, Rakestrow‐Dickens, & Beech, ). Those who committed online sexual offenses against children were found to have significantly different characteristics than in‐person sexual contact offenders against children (Babchishin, Hanson, & VanZuylen, ; Faust, Bickart, Renaud, & Camp, ; Ly, Dwyer, & Fedoroff, ). Therefore, online child pornography offenders are likely to have different treatment needs than in‐person contact offenders (Henshaw, Ogloff, & Clough, ).…”

The contributory role of autism symptomology in child pornography offending: why there is an urgent need for empirical research in this area

“…There are community-based interventions which have been developed for child pornography related offenders (in addition to other types of interventions available such as individual therapy, group therapy and medication). Community-based treatment programs typically focus on cognitive distortions, victim empathy, problem-solving strategies, developing healthy relationships and developing a prosocial lifestyle (Ly, Dwyer, & Fedoroff, 2018). Henshaw and colleagues (2017) have argued that child pornography treatment is likely to be more effective through treatment programs which are specifically 28 designed for this particular population.…”

“…It also targets the cognitive distortions that perpetuate the cycle of viewing child pornography. It must be highlighted here that, to date, there are no studies which have investigated the effectiveness of SOTAP (Ly, Dwyer, & Fedoroff, 2018). Another intervention programme specifically designed for male online child pornography offenders is the psycho-educational risk-reduction programme, Inform Plus (Lucy Faithfull Foundation, 2014, a UK-based charitable organisation).…”

“…Need to explore the profile of online child pornography offenders with ASD As mentioned earlier in the section on 'Escalation and the progression from non-contact to grooming and/or contact offences', it is well-established in the literature that it is unlikely that individuals who view child pornography only will transition to contact offenses (e.g., Bourke & Hernandex, 2009). As highlighted by Ly, Dwyer and Fedoroff (2018) internet child pornography offenders have been found to be significantly less likely to have a criminal history when compared with contact offenders (also see Long, Alison, & McManus, 2012). Studies have also found that they tend to score lower on antisocial features (Lee, Li, Lamade, Schuler, & Prentky, 2012) and are also less likely to have substance abuse problems.…”

An Analysis of Internet Abuses Impact on Children's Moral Development

“…A teenager who in essence is still unstable will be very easily influenced to things that smell of pornography. Sex material on the internet is so seductive and makes a giddy person easily snared, without feeling conscious they have been victimized (Efrati & Mikulincer, 2018;Fernandez, Tee, & Fernandez, 2017;Laili, Puspitawati, & Yuliati, 2018;Ly, Dwyer, & Fedoroff, 2018). From this opinion it can be concluded that the soul of a teenager who is still in a state of unstable and gamang will be very easily affected pornographic materials so that makes the moral values declined.…”