Child sexual abuse material (CSAM): a systematic review of risk profiles, risk factors, and typologies of users

With the proliferation of the Internet, the production, distribution, sharing, and use of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is rising. Considered a global public health issue, the consumption of CSAM continues to go mostly undetected, which further calls for preventive measures.

This systematic literature review aims to gather evidence regarding detected CSAM offenders' characteristics and typologies.

In July 2024, a comprehensive search of the databases EBSCO host, Web of Science, and PubMed was conducted. Three independent reviewers assessed the literature focusing on the characteristics and typologies of CSAM offenders. Data collection, analysis, and reporting were performed according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Thirty-five articles were included in this review. Main findings were extracted based on CSAM offenders' risk factors and typologies.

Child sexual abuse material offenders are mostly white men, ranging widely in age, with high levels of education and employment. These offenders tend to be single and have non-biological children. Adverse childhood experiences, along with cognitive distortions, are common among these individuals, who also have poor mental health, mood problems, and substance abuse, which serves as motivation for them to engage in CSAM. These offenders have few or no convictions at the time of detection; however, there is a perceived sexual attraction to children, along with consumption of extreme material, facilitated by easy access to the Internet.

This study provided an in-depth analysis of the typologies of CSAM offenders, making it possible to identify characteristics that are commonly present and to draw up a potential profile based on psychosocial (eg, sociodemographic, environmental, and psychological characteristics, trauma history, mental health condition, disruptive cognitions, and pattern behaviors) risk factors. These factors support typologies of users, highlighting consumers and distributors of this type of sexually abusive content, along with a profile that reflects consumption and child sexual abuse practices. For detailed analyses, please refer to Supplementary Table S1 and Supplementary Material S3.