Case Studies of Men’s Perceptions of Their Online Sexual Interactions With Young People: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to gain an understanding of the perspectives of men who were convicted of committing a sexual offense that included online sexual grooming. It explores their experiences of illegal interactions with young people via Internet communication platforms, which progressed to physical meetings. Semistructured interviews were conducted with two men and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), providing in-depth accounts of their personal experiences. These are presented in a case study format. Three dominant themes emerged from the analysis: (a) fulfilling an unmet need, (b) spiraling cycle of use, and (c) confrontation with reality. Narrative tones employed by the two men were “being trapped in a lie,” analogous to a problem narrative through which their Internet use was presented as a poor and/or failed coping strategy to deal with life stress. Through a process of habituation, their Internet use spiraled out of control. A progression was described in terms of time spent on the computer, frequency and intensity of online interactions, and the impact this had on the men’s personal lives, highlighting the “compulsive” nature of such interactions for them. A consideration of individual and situational vulnerability factors provides new insight into the progression of online sexual behavior and contributes to our understanding thereof.

Offense-Supportive Cognitions Expressed by Men Who Use Internet to Sexually Exploit Children: A Thematic Analysis

“…Two case studies using interviews with CSS were conducted to examine the perceptions of these men regarding their sexually abusive behaviors (Kloess et al, 2019; Whittle et al, 2015). Despite not being their main objective, both studies reported examples of offense-supportive cognitions such as the minimisation of the seriousness of the sexual communications with children or the idea that internet’s anonymity is a contributive factor to online sexual interaction with minors.…”

A systematic review examining the use of media as an offence-related behaviour in recidivism of offenders

“…The extant research does provide support for the proposal that media OB is part of a pathway for offending. For example, engaging in media in the form of internet communication platforms can reportedly develop into contact offences (Kloess, Larkin, Beech & Hamilton-Giachritsis, 2019). Kloess et al, (2019) found that this occurred by internet use spiralling out of control and due to offenders' desire to fulfil an unmet sexual interest.…”

“…For example, engaging in media in the form of internet communication platforms can reportedly develop into contact offences (Kloess, Larkin, Beech & Hamilton-Giachritsis, 2019). Kloess et al, (2019) found that this occurred by internet use spiralling out of control and due to offenders' desire to fulfil an unmet sexual interest. That is, offenders may express OB via media use such as initiating relationships with young people, and/or viewing pornography, which is reinforced by masturbation and which then escalates into hands-on sexual offences.…”

Community case studies: an interpretative phenomenological analysis on sexual abuse in urban Chennai

“…This ‘double hermeneutic’ ( Smith et al, 1999 ) emphasizes the double interpretation of the experience: by the research participants and the researcher. An IPA study on male sexual offenders ( Kloess et al, 2019 ) provided new insights into the diverse situational and vulnerability factors of the perpetrators in committing the act. A study on the survivor’s decision for legal initiation using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ( Plastock et al, 2021 ) brings attention to the diverse factors that influence the survivor’s decision as to whether to initiate legal proceedings or not.…”