Development of a Case Formulation Model for Individuals Who Have Viewed, Distributed, and/or Shared Child Sexual Exploitation Material. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Merdian, Hannah L.; Perkins, Derek E.; Dustagheer, Elspeth; Glorney, Emily
• Is Part Of: International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology. Volume 64:Number 10/11(2020)
• Page Start: 1055
• Page End: 1073
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: child sexual exploitation -- child sexual abuse -- illegal images of children -- risk management -- case formulation; Criminals -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Criminal psychology -- Periodicals; Violent offenders -- Periodicals; Sex offenders -- Periodicals; Criminology -- Periodicals; 364.3
• DOI: 10.1177/0306624X17748067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-624X

Abstract

Increases in the number of arrests of individuals who download or distribute Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM) have highlighted a need to further understand the offending pathways of this offender group. This article describes the development of an aetiological model specific to CSEM offending. Individuals who had viewed, distributed, and/or shared CSEM ( n = 20) were interviewed regarding their life and sexual history, relationships, substance use, offending details, and circumstances leading to their CSEM offending, resulting in seven superordinate themes: Developmental Context, Individual Propensities (risk-related and risk-protective) and Psychological Vulnerabilities, Personal Circumstances, Permission-Giving Thoughts, Internet Environment and Behaviour, Evaluation of Consequences for the Individual, and Desistance. These themes were combined into a case formulation tool specific for CSEM offending behaviour, with the aim of providing systematic guidance for assessment and treatment providers.