Fantasy-Driven Versus Contact-Driven Users of Child Sexual Exploitation Material: Offender Classification and...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Criminology
• Cyberpsychology

Background:

• Child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offenses have increased with internet prevalence.
• Limited understanding exists regarding CSEM user assessment, treatment, and reoffending risk.
• A distinction between fantasy-driven and contact-driven CSEM users is proposed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate psychological differences between CSEM users and contact child sex offenders.
• To identify subgroups within CSEM users based on offending patterns.
• To develop an empirical model for assessing reoffending risk in CSEM users.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-eight offenders from sex offender treatment programs participated.
• Anonymous computer surveys assessed clinical and risk-related variables.
• Numerical and spatial data analysis techniques were employed to identify subgroups.

Main Results:

• Psychological profiles differed significantly between CSEM users and contact child sex offenders.
• Data analysis confirmed a twofold distinction: fantasy-driven versus contact-driven offending.
• Three key dimensions emerged for subgroup classification: sexual contact, fantasy material possession, and social networking.

Conclusions:

• The study supports a conceptual distinction of CSEM users into fantasy- and contact-driven types.
• These subgroups exhibit different psychological profiles, risks, and needs.
• An empirical model can enhance risk assessment and inform treatment for CSEM offenders, potentially preventing escalation to contact offenses.