Proactive Strategies to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and the Use of Child Abuse Images: Experiences from the German Dunkelfeld Project

Abstract

The contribution describes a German prevention approach which aims at improving proactive strategies to protect children from sexual exploitation by online offenses, such as the consumption or distribution of child abuse images (so-called "child pornography"), and hands-on contact child sexual abuse. Prevention strategies include research on individuals at risk to commit first or persistent sexual offenses against children, at the same time offering preventive assessment and treatment. As it is acknowledged that many offenders against children remain undetected by legal authorities in the "Dunkelfeld" (literally "dark field") and are therefore not included in any official statistics, this program focuses on those who admit a longstanding sexual interest in prepubescent and/or early pubescent children, so-called pedophiles and hebephiles, self-motivated by the distress experienced due to their sexual preference (cf. www.dont-offend.org). It will be shown that these groups are reachable (given that they can rely on anonymity and the professional pledge of confidentiality) in order to improve the prevention of child sexual exploitation, because sexually deviant interests have been identified as a major risk factor for first or persistent sexual offending against children. Therefore, public health services have a real chance of encouraging the concerned persons to seek professional help before any kind of sexual offense against children is committed.

Preventing Sexual Abuse: Perspectives of Minor-Attracted Persons About Seeking Help

“…Therapists lobbied against such a requirement, citing concerns that MAPs would be discouraged from seeking preventive services, and that counselors would be placed in a position of breaching their ethical commitments (Clark-Flory, 2016). Although mandatory reporting laws are designed to protect children, they may paradoxically increase risk when individuals avoid seeking help due to stigma and fear of consequences (Beier, 2016; Jahnke, 2018; Lasher & Stinson, 2017). Also, they may deprive individuals of mental health enhancement and relief from the distress caused by their minor attraction (Beier, 2016).…”

“…Although mandatory reporting laws are designed to protect children, they may paradoxically increase risk when individuals avoid seeking help due to stigma and fear of consequences (Beier, 2016; Jahnke, 2018; Lasher & Stinson, 2017). Also, they may deprive individuals of mental health enhancement and relief from the distress caused by their minor attraction (Beier, 2016). We encourage continued advocacy for access to mental health treatment for those who wish to improve their well-being or prevent themselves from harming children.…”

“…For instance, the societal rhetoric about people who abuse children (e.g., “monsters,” “predators,” and “deviants,” along with declarations that they are not amenable to treatment and will inevitably reoffend) is rather damaging to the self-concepts of MAPs, who internalize these stigmatizing perceptions (Buckman et al, 2016; Jahnke, 2018). The shame and secrecy that result from this stigma prevent MAPs from reaching out to find role models, professionals, or confidants who might offer support or advice about how to deal with minor attraction and achieve a satisfying and healthy life (Beier, 2016; Buckman et al, 2016; Piché et al, 2016).…”

“I Could Never Work With Those People . . . ”: Secondary Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse Via a Brief Training for Therapists About Pedophilia

“…Many MAPs report that their attraction to minors is a significant cause of emotional distress. As a result, they report impairment in psychosocial well-being including fear and anxiety, depression, hopelessness, substance abuse, and alienation (Beier, 2016; Houtepen et al, 2016; Jahnke, 2018; Lasher & Stinson, 2017; Levenson & Grady, 2018). These struggles can be quite severe; suicidality is common among MAPs (B4UAct, 2011b), and in one study, 23% of those surveyed reported at least one suicide attempt (Levenson & Grady, 2018).…”

Pilot Results of a Handbook: Prevention Skills of Sexual-Abuse for Primary Students

“…It will be shown that these groups are reachable (given that they can rely on anonymity and the professional pledge of confidentiality) to improve the prevention of child sexual abuse, because sexually deviant interests have been identified as a major risk factor for first or persistent sexual offending against children. Therefore, public health services or composing a handbook have a real chance of encouraging the concerned persons to seek professional help before any kind of sexual offense against children is committed (Klaus M. Beier, 2016).…”