Suicidal ideation in offenders convicted of child sexual exploitation material offences

Abstract

Understanding the prevalence of suicidal ideation in Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM) offenders and their psychological concerns provides the basis for early treatment and intervention. This research solicited responses (n = 78) via an anonymous, web-based survey from adults in the United States previously convicted of CSEM offences.Significant suicidal ideation was present in 73% of respondents (n = 57), and 19% (n = 15) reported attempting suicide after they were made aware of an investigation, with 41% (n = 32) stating they would have been likely to seek counselling if provided a contact. Most of the respondents felt they were not treated with fairness, understanding, and compassion by investigators, and that their primary psychological strains were going to jail and their families finding out. This research highlights the need for more empathetic investigative approaches, as well as the need for more rapid assessment and treatment of proximal suicide risk in this population.

Improving child sexual exploitation material investigations: Recommendations based on a review of recent research findings

“…In a recent survey of CSEM offenders in the United States, the majority of participants noted that investigators showed a lack of compassion, fairness, and understanding in their interview (Steel et al, 2022c). In particular, showing compassion was correlated with more full admissions of their CSEM activities.…”

“…Ideally, the interview will occur in a neutral setting, but a law enforcement setting may be preferable to a home or work environment. CSEM offenders reported high anxiety around friends, family, and co-workers finding out about their activities (Steel et al, 2022c), and a home or work environment may increase their stress and act as an impediment toward a successful understanding-based interview. Additionally, those environments may cause early disclosure of the offender's activities to those same individuals, resulting in additional stressors on both the offender and their unwitting and uninvolved relations.…”

“…CSEM offenders have a high post-interview suicide risk (Key et al, 2021;Kothari et al, 2021). In a survey of previously convicted offenders, 73% had a high suicidal ideation, and 19% attempted suicide (Steel et al, 2022c), and these numbers do not include individuals who took their own lives. There is also evidence that a substantial number of CSEM offender suicides occur within the first 48 hours after their initial interview (Hoffer & Shelton, 2013).…”

“…Applicability of offense-supportive cognitions in building interview rapport. Current CSEM offenders reported low levels of investigator compassion and understanding (Steel et al, 2022c). More research on the effectiveness of the application of these cognitions as themes, and the impact on both confession rates and perceived investigation compassion, is needed.…”