In the 2PS project, stakeholders are people with a sexual interest in children. Indeed, their view is fundamental to create preventive strategies and trainings for personnel who work to help them find a non-violent and healthy path.
How 2PS is involving stakeholders in decision-making and feedback
The development of platforms meant to address specific stakeholders is a multifaceted process that demands careful consideration and collaboration.
The key element that significantly contributes to the success of such endeavors is the active involvement of stakeholders in decision-making and feedback.
This approach not only fosters a sense of ownership and engagement but also ensures that the final product aligns with the needs and expectations of its intended users.
Stakeholders in 2PS: people with a sexual interest in children
In the context of the 2PS project, stakeholders are people with a sexual interest in children.
They are a highly diverse group of people that can differ in:
- their age
- sex
- chronophilia (people with nepiophilia, pedophilia, hebephilia, and ephebophilia)
- setting (forensic, clinical, and community)
- criminal history (people with and without a history of offending)
- culture (generally from across Europe and the U.S.).
Involving them in the decision-making process and soliciting their feedback at various stages of developing prevention materials geared towards them creates a collaborative environment that harnesses their unique perspectives.
People with a sexual interest in children possess valuable insights into their needs which are often difficult for researchers or practitioners to surmise independently. However, their view is fundamental to create preventive strategies and trainings for personnel who work to help them find a non-violent and healthy path.
In addition, due to the nature of their interest and the stigma associated with it, it is often difficult to recruit individuals to give feedback on these topics.
What feedback people with a sexual interest in children provide to 2PS
Fortunately, due to 2PS’ multitude of partners who work with communities of people with a sexual interest in children, we have been able to address them directly.
Indeed, 2PS seeks feedback on both the development of web platforms aimed at providing support for them, and on our recruitment and deterrence materials tailored to them.
By involving them early in the process, their feedback will inform developers and content creators on a number of important elements.
Firstly, what they would need to see on the web platform we develop, the functions they expect to find when looking for help and how these contribute to their user experience.
Secondly, the security-related concerns they may have and how to circumvent them.
Finally, the type of content they would hope to find on the web platform and that would encourage them to not only visit it themselves, but also recommend it to others within their support communities.
What 2PS expects from this approach
Regarding recruitment and deterrence, we expect that their input will help us with developing materials that are specifically designed for various target audiences within their communities.
In addition, we may learn the different factors at work in motivating them to seek more information. Such factors could include the valence of the messaging, emphasizing positive themes (e.g., hopes of changing one’s life for the better) vs. negative themes (e.g., shame, loneliness, etc.).
They may also include the perceived trustworthiness of the source in addition to the presented aim of the material. Indeed, it is designed to address mental health concerns and support for them, or offense prevention.
These are just some of the examples for which we have reached out to communities of people with a sexual interest in children for feedback.
Their insight is invaluable for 2PS and there are many resources dedicated to evaluating the fit between 2PS’ proposed solutions and the needs of people with a sexual interest in children.
These resources will be available all the way through the end of the project in 2025, and the feedback implemented in the development of our materials will continue to be valuable long after the project is complete.
Written by Agatha Melexina Chronos, PhD, Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Bergen (2PS partner).
