Improving child sexual exploitation material investigations: Recommendations based on a review of recent research findings

Steel, Chad M. S.; Newman, Emily; O’Rourke, Suzanne; Quayle, Ethel

doi:10.1177/0032258x221142525

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…The qualitative data reinforce the severity of content and volume of data, with the severity of CSEM discussed in a more emotional and victim-focused manner (e.g., I can hear the children screaming in my head after work), and the volume was discussed in a more cognitive and system-focused manner (e.g., having high workload and limited resources). As disengaging from the emotional aspects and the victim is associated with better wellbeing among law enforcement personnel, agencies should presumably evaluate if some specific parts of the job that increase the emotional involvement (e.g., sounds) are necessary or can be removed from the investigation process (Steel et al, 2022). At the same time, agencies should make sure they have the resources to support law enforcement personnel that are emotionally overwhelmed and provide resilience training (Steel et al, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As disengaging from the emotional aspects and the victim is associated with better wellbeing among law enforcement personnel, agencies should presumably evaluate if some specific parts of the job that increase the emotional involvement (e.g., sounds) are necessary or can be removed from the investigation process (Steel et al, 2022). At the same time, agencies should make sure they have the resources to support law enforcement personnel that are emotionally overwhelmed and provide resilience training (Steel et al, 2022). For those that may not naturally disengage from emotional reactions related to CSEM content, the strategy of emotional distancing may be particularly difficult to both learn and enact.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Emotional Wellbeing and Cognitive Appraisals Among Law Enforcement Exposed to Child Sexually Explicit Materials

O’Brien,

Gewirtz-Meydan,

Mitchell

2024

Criminal Justice and Behavior

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The cognitive appraisals of police investigators and forensic examiners working with child sexually explicit material (CSEM) may impact the level of distress they experience and its impact on holistic wellbeing. In the current study, we use an exploratory sequential mixed method design integrating quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Survey data were collected from 500 police investigators, forensic examiners, and others connected with the criminal justice system from across the United States; 258 of them also provided in-depth qualitative data. A principal components analysis uncovered initial components and latent probabilities, which were subsequently enriched with qualitative data coded using a grounded-theory approach. Results indicate that cognitive appraisals of law enforcement who investigate CSEM can be seen on two main axes: emotional vs cognitive and victim vs system. Cognitive-based and system-focused appraisals were associated with better wellbeing. Implications for officer wellness and future research are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emotional Wellbeing and Cognitive Appraisals Among Law Enforcement Exposed to Child Sexually Explicit Materials

O’Brien,

Gewirtz-Meydan,

Mitchell

2024

Criminal Justice and Behavior

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“…(p. 36)Studies of this sort are few and far between. A recent study by Steel et al (2022), however, does note that:Current CSEM offenders are also significantly more mobile in their viewing habits than they were a decade ago. In a recent study, 22% of offenders reported viewing CSEM at a hotel/motel, 9% from a vehicle, 9% at work and 99% at home.…”

Section: Risk Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…(p. 36) Studies of this sort are few and far between. A recent study by Steel et al (2022), however, does note that:…”

Section: Potentially Outdated Samplesmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Additionally, 27% of offenders reported using mobile phones to view CSEM, making portable viewing an increasing trend, and necessitating planning for the presence of and the seizure of mobile phones as part of any enforcement action. (p. 4) Steel et al (2022) also noted that increases in stress, social isolation, and downtime because of the COVID-19 pandemic may have resulted in increases in CSEM offending.…”

Section: Potentially Outdated Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Risk assessment of child-pornography-exclusive offenders.

Scurich

Krauss

2023

Law and Human Behavior

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Objectives: A sizeable percentage of federally sentenced child pornography offenders have no history of other criminal offenses (hereinafter "child-pornography-exclusive offenders"). There is a critical legal need to assess the recidivism risk of this population. The Child Pornography Offender Risk Tool (CPORT) is a commonly used actuarial instrument developed specifically to assess the risk of recidivism among child pornography offenders. Hypotheses: We hypothesized that there would be a sound scientific basis supporting the use of the CPORT in the United States as well as research demonstrating its applicability to child-pornography-exclusive offenders, given that the instrument is currently being used in forensic settings. Method: We critically examined all of the existing empirical studies that constitute the research base of the CPORT. Results: The empirical studies of the CPORT suffer from at least three significant limitations: extremely small samples of recidivists, inordinate amounts of missing data, and potentially outdated samples. Further, none of the studies have tested the CPORT in a sample of offenders in the United States. An illustrative example of how the instrument has been misapplied in forensic settings and courtroom testimony is provided. Conclusions: These issues make it inappropriate to use the CPORT on child-pornography-exclusive offenders in the United States at this time. We conclude by describing avenues for future research that can advance our understanding of this distinct and growing population of offenders. Public Significance StatementA growing number of individuals with no criminal history are sentenced to federal prison each year for child pornography offenses. The Child Pornography Offender Risk Tool (CPORT) is commonly used to assess the risk of recidivism among these offenders. We critically review the research base of the CPORT in this article and discuss how it is insufficient to justify the use of the CPORT in forensic settings and to inform important legal determinations.

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Preventing Child Sexual Abuse and the Use of Child Sexual Abuse Materials: Following up on the German Prevention Project Dunkelfeld

Beier,

Nentzl,

von Heyden

et al. 2024

J of Prevention

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Sexual interest in minors (i.e., pedophilia and hebephilia) is considered a risk factor for Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) and the use of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). This study examined the long-term development of CSA, CSAM use, associated cognitions, and quality of life among self-referred, help-seeking individuals diagnosed with pedophilic or hebephilic disorder (PHD) outside the judicial system. Of the 110 eligible men who had undergone therapy for PHD due to psychological distress or risk of offending, 56 were available for follow-up assessment 1–11 years after treatment. Behavioral manifestations, offense-supportive cognitions, and quality of life were evaluated using interviews and psychometric measures. At follow-up, 7.7% of participants with a history of CSA had re-offended, whereas 89.1% of previous CSAM users reported recidivism, although with less severe material. No new CSA offenses occurred among those without prior CSA. Treatment led to increased cognitive victim empathy and reductions in CSA-supportive and CSAM-supportive attitudes, but only the latter improvement persisted through follow-up. Participants exhibited elevated CSA-supportive attitudes relative to community norms at all time points and diminished quality of life at follow-up. Pedophilic and hebephilic disorder carry a persistent risk of sexual offending, particularly regarding CSAM use. Therapeutic gains in offense-supportive cognitions may erode over time without ongoing care. A comprehensive public health approach encompassing early detection, prevention, and expanded treatment access that addresses both the risk of reoffending and overall well-being is crucial for reducing sexual victimization and improving mental health outcomes for individuals from this target group.

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Improving child sexual exploitation material investigations: Recommendations based on a review of recent research findings

Cited by 7 publications

References 57 publications

Emotional Wellbeing and Cognitive Appraisals Among Law Enforcement Exposed to Child Sexually Explicit Materials

Emotional Wellbeing and Cognitive Appraisals Among Law Enforcement Exposed to Child Sexually Explicit Materials

Risk assessment of child-pornography-exclusive offenders.

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse and the Use of Child Sexual Abuse Materials: Following up on the German Prevention Project Dunkelfeld

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