Annually, over 300 million children fall victim to online crimes of sexual violence against children [1]. As we are facing a global crisis of child sexual abuse, it is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the offending behaviour and ways to prevent it before the harm is done.
As a part of the EU-funded project 2KNOW, 2PS project partner Protect Children conducted an in-depth study of the intricate intersections between motivations, facilitators, situational factors, and barriers to child sexual abuse offending.
Through the innovative ‘Help us to know’ survey, Protect Children collected data directly from 4,549 active anonymous child sexual abuse material offenders in the dark web and compiled the data analysis into an engaging, interactive report.
Full report available here: https://www.suojellaanlapsia.fi/en/2know-research-report.
Increasing evidence shows that effective barriers can prevent online child sexual abuse offences.
Respondents to the ‘Help us to know’ survey indicate that they would, for instance, stop communication with a child online if the child expressed unwillingness to talk (29%), disclosed the chat to an adult (20%), or threatened to report it to the police (16%). However, it is possible to introduce barriers that would interfere with the offending behaviour much earlier, before a child is in danger.
Interventions and Deterrence Messaging on Dark Web
A growing volume of efforts focuses on developing measures to prevent online crimes of sexual violence against children, targeting the very core of criminal behaviour. The interventions come in various forms, including therapeutic treatment, helplines, self-help resources, deterrence messaging, advocacy and awareness campaigns, and educational resources and programs. Many of these interventions are available online and disrupt an image of a seemingly safe and secure space for offending – the internet.
A timely intervention, as well as a quick and powerful deterrence message, can prevent an offence, making the potential perpetrator reflect on their behaviour and prompting positive behavioural change. Even a research survey can turn out to be a successful intervention. The ‘Help us to know’ survey appears when an individual searches for CSAM on the dark web, interrupting the search and offering an alternative to illegal behaviour – responding to the survey. One respondent shared:
“I am disgusted in myself that I have allowed myself to go so far as to have to use a questionnaire to potentially help myself get better, and stop looking at this kind of porn. I feel better because these questions have actually made me think a little more harder about myself.”
Survey respondents shared that disclosing their use of CSAM in the anonymous survey was relieving and encouraging. In addition, they felt positive about someone conducting relevant research and expressed hope that their response would assist in developing help resources. Finally, some of the respondents, while answering the survey, have for the first time reflected upon their behaviour and thought of seeking help.
Illegality and Security
Respondents to the survey shared that awareness of the illegal nature of their desires often deterred them from committing further or “more extreme” crimes. The decision to commit a crime rests on three pillars – probability of being detected, speed of the punishment execution, and severity of the expected punishment [2].
“I have only started looking for the last few days out of curiosity, I haven’t found anything and I am probably going to stop because if I actually do find anything I don’t want to end up in jail”
The deterrence potential of illegality varies, as not all crimes involve rational decision-making, and individual perceptions and knowledge about detection and punishment may be distorted. Nevertheless, the data shows that proportionate criminal penalties and awareness about them can prevent some individuals from breaking the law.
Help-Seeking and Behavioural Change
“I feel more confident in my ability to get help, and that technology and medicine will have breakthroughs that help victims of child abuse and people like me with these attractions”
Many offenders self-report their willingness to change their behaviour. 41% of respondents to the ‘Help us to know’ survey shared the belief that it is possible to stop using CSAM, and a share of 11% have specifically highlighted the need for professional assistance to do so. Although these numbers may be overinflated due to the desire of the respondents to present themselves in a positive light and a sample bias towards individuals already interested in seeking help, it is important to notice and respond to this need for help resources, provide relevant assistance, and protect children from future harms.
2PS project is currently developing a stepto.support website designed to assist anyone seeking support in living a positive and harm-free life, increasing overall well-being, making safe choices, and avoiding problematic behaviour. The website will unite a variety of help resources and be supported by a chatbot. Follow 2PS project social media channels for updates.
References:
- (2024). Into the Light Index. https://intothelight.childlight.org/
- Howe, E. S., & Brandau, C. J. (1988). Additive effects of certainty, severity, and celerity of punishment on judgments of crime deterrence scale value. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 18(9), 796–812. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.1988.tb02356.x.
The 2KNOW project has been produced with the financial support of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) Programme (2022) of the European Union. The contents herein are the sole responsibility of the project partnership and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission.
