Exploring Patterns of Men's Self-Reported Sexual Behaviours, Feelings, and Interests Towards Children

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Public Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) is a global issue.
• Existing research often relies on limited justice-involved or clinical samples, hindering understanding of undetected behaviors.
• Population-level data on men's sexual interests and behaviors towards children is scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the population-level prevalence of men's sexual feelings, interests, and behaviors towards children.
• To identify demographic correlates and co-endorsement patterns of these interests and behaviors.
• To inform prevention strategies and cross-national surveillance of CSEA.

Main Methods:

• Anonymous online survey of 4,918 adult men across Australia, the UK, and the US.
• Data was quota-matched and weighted to national populations.
• Statistical analyses included pooled prevalence estimates, demographic correlates, overlap analyses, and network analysis.

Main Results:

• Pooled prevalence: 8.0% reported sexual feelings towards children, 7.4% indicated likelihood of sexual contact if undetected, 5.5-5.7% viewed child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or webcam shows, and 2.4-4.7% reported online or contact offending.
• Prevalence was higher in the US compared to Australia and the UK.
• Sociodemographic factors like higher income, being partnered, employed, educated, having children, or working with children were associated with increased risk, especially for those living or working with children.

Conclusions:

• Findings underscore the prevalence of concerning sexual interests and behaviors among men in the general population.
• Supports tiered prevention strategies distinguishing interest from behavior, age-specific approaches, and enhanced safeguards for child-facing roles.
• Provides crucial cross-national data for surveillance, resource allocation, and targeted interventions against CSEA.