The complex experience of child pornography survivors

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

“…Three key themes from the survivors' perspective as adults were identified by Gewirtz-Meydan and colleagues in the qualitative analysis of the responses that the participants gave to the open ended questions. These were feelings of guilt and shame, their ongoing vulnerability and an empowerment dimension that the images could sometimes bring (Gewirtz-Meydan, Walsh, Wolak, & Finkelhor, 2018).…”

Prevention of Sexual Child Abuse: Preliminary Results From an Outpatient Therapy Program

“…Indeed, minors who have been abused sexually may develop a variety of mental health problems such as affective disorders, suicidal behavior, alcohol, drug and medication dependence, social anxiety, conduct disorder, borderline personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, especially bulimia nervosa, or an increased risk of revictimization (16)(17)(18)(19). Moreover, there is evidence that children whose sexual abuse has been recorded and distributed on the internet additionally suffer once they realize that their indecent images cannot be removed from the Internet and that they are continuously being victimized by a large number of offenders (20,21). In summary, the consequences of CSA and CSEM offenses are detrimental for both the offender and the victim, which emphasizes the importance of out-patient prevention programs.…”

To know or not to know: Should crimes regarding photographs of their child sexual abuse be disclosed to now-adult, unknowing victims?

“…In each of these scenarios, there is a substantial risk that disclosing the abuse and/or existence of the AI for Vs 3 and 4, or the fact that they have been accessed by others for Vs1 and 2, will cause the now-adult victim (further) harm. Whilst still in its infancy, research involving AI victims and counsellors and therapists who treat them has revealed that, besides the trauma caused by the actual abuse, AI victims suffer additional, unique psychological harm if they are aware of the existence of AI and that these images have been distributed on the internet (Gewirtz-Meydan et al, 2018;Martin, 2015;Martin, 2016;von Weiler et al, 2010;Lindauer et al, 2014). The availability of the AI for others to view means that achieving "closure" for victims can be impossible.…”