The Use of Pornography during the Commission of Sexual Offenses

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine the use of pornographic materials by sex offenders during the commission of their crimes. A sample of 561 sex offenders was examined. There were 181 offenders against children, 144 offenders against adults, 223 incest offenders, 8 exhibitionists, and 5 miscellaneous cases. All but four cases were men. A total of 96 (17%) offenders had used pornography at the time of their offenses. More offenders against children than against adults used pornography in the offenses. Of the users, 55% showed pornographic materials to their victims and 36% took pictures, mostly of child victims. Nine cases were involved in the distribution of pornography. Results showed that pornography plays only a minor role in the commission of sexual offenses, however the current findings raise a major concern that pornography use in the commission of sexual crimes primarily involved child victims.

“Adding fuel to the fire”? Does exposure to non-consenting adult or to child pornography increase risk of sexual aggression?

“…It was also reported that many of the child molesters perceived that pornography generally had had a negative effect on their lives. Langevin and Curnoe (2004) focused on a sample of 561 sex offenders. Of these, 181 had offended against children, 144 had offended against adults, and 223 were incest offenders.…”

The three dimensions of online child pornography offending

“…Hence, besides its distribution online, the self-produced material can also function as a ''trophy'' or reminder of the sexual encounter for the perpetrator. In addition, these images are often used as means for blackmailing the child afterwards not to disclose the offence, by threatening to show the images to other people (Langevin & Curnoe, 2004;Tate, 1990).…”

Examining the modus operandi of sexual offenders against children and its practical implications

“…weapons). In the case of sexual offending against children, pornography represents a possible strategy and a facilitator for offenders to commit their crimes (Elliott et al, 1995;Lang and Frenzel, 1988;Langevin and Curnoe, 2004;Smallbone and Wortley, 2000). The highest percentage of sexual offenders against children using this strategy was reported by Elliott et al (1995) who indicated that 21% of their sample did so.…”