Gateway to offending behaviour: permission-giving thoughts of online users of child sexual exploitation material. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kettleborough, Danielle G.; Merdian, Hannah L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of sexual aggression. Volume 23:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 19
• Page End: 32
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Child pornography -- child sexual exploitation material -- cognitive distortions -- sex offending -- internet sex offending; Sex crimes -- Periodicals; Sexual animosity -- Periodicals; Sex offenders -- Periodicals; 306.7705
• DOI: 10.1080/13552600.2016.1231852
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-2600

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The endorsement of permission-giving thoughts, or so-called cognitive distortions, has been discussed as a contributing factor in sexually abusive behaviour. The current study set out to explore the thinking patterns of offenders who have used/downloaded child sexual exploitation material (CSEM), based on a survey of professionals. A thematic analysis elicited four overarching themes, namely the Perceived Nature of Children (perception of children portrayed in CSEM, as well as children in general), Non-sexual Engagement with CSEM (motivating factors that are not inherently sexual in nature), Denial of Harm (perception of the level of harm caused by CSEM), and Expression of a General Sexual Preference (general interest in deviant sexual behaviour). These themes aid to explore the differences and similarities between contact and non-contact offenders and to improve the understanding of the role of permission-giving thoughts in this typology of offending. Results are discussed in terms of their theoretical significance and future implications.