The internalization of social stigma among minor-attracted persons: Implications for treatment

In this article, we sought to build on existing stigmatization research by examining the extent to which internalized stigmatization (i.e., the personal adoption and incorporation of social views, operationalized as thought suppression – an avoidant coping strategy – and low psychological wellbeing) among minor-attracted persons (MAPs) may impact upon help-seeking behaviors and their avoidance of children. We adopted a cross-sectional anonymous survey design to recruit a sample of self-identified MAPs (N = 183) from prominent online support fora. We found that increased levels of suppression and lower levels of psychological wellbeing were associated with lower levels of hope about the future, but higher levels of both shame and guilt about having a sexual interest in minors. Thought suppression was not significantly associated with outcomes related to help-seeking behaviors, but did significantly higher rates of actively avoiding children, even after controlling for psychological wellbeing and other emotional variables. Independently, lower levels of self-reported psychological wellbeing was associated with a desire for more support and higher rates of actively avoiding children. We explore the potential implications of our data in relation to treating and supporting MAPs within the community, increasing their wellbeing, and encouraging help-seeking behavior

"I kind of find that out by accident": probation staff experiences of pharmacological treatment for sexual preoccupation and hypersexuality

Purpose - This paper aimed to explore the views and experiences of probation staff working with individuals convicted of a sexual offence who have been prescribed medication to manage sexual arousal (MMSA). Design/methodology - Semi-structured interviews were utilised with a sample of probation staff (Offender Supervisors and Managers, n=12), who supervise individuals convicted of a sexual offence, either in prison, or post-release in the community. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings - Two main themes emerged: (1) Barriers for probation staff and (2) Suspicious but hopeful. Theme one encapsulates factors that prevent probation staff from engaging with MMSA; theme two highlighted the samples' uncertainty and mistrust of the use of medication as a potential tool for risk management and scepticism about individuals' motivations, particularly in the community. Research limitations – The main limitation of this study was the differing levels of knowledge the sample had about MMSA and their subsequent ability to discuss MMSA other than in a theoretical sense. Practical implications - Practical implications include the need for further training for probation staff, improved collaboration between departments and ongoing support for staff to support the success of the MMSA intervention. Originality/value – This study offers a novel perspective on MMSA - that of the probation staff supervising prisoners taking MMSA. This has not been explored before, and the findings and associated implications are of importance for the treatment and care of those convicted of sexual offences

Applying desistance principles to improve wellbeing and prevent child sexual abuse among minor-attracted persons

The prevention of sexual abuse among people with sexual attractions to minors is a field of study that is growing in both size and importance. While there is an increasing amount of research into this topic, particularly in relation to the stigmatisation of minor-attracted persons (MAPs) and the barriers to them seeking help, there is currently no theoretical framework within which to consider this prevention landscape. In this paper, we suggest that an extension of Göbbels, Ward, and Willis’ (2012) integrative theory of desistance from sexual offending could fill this gap in the literature. We explore what the aims of ‘prevention’ initiatives could, or perhaps should, be, before exploring how an extension and adaptation of the desistance framework could provide a framework for working with MAPs in their journey for sound mental health and, ultimately, the prevention of sexual offending

“Falling through the cracks”: a retrospective exploration of the barriers to help-seeking among men convicted of sexual crimes

The prevalence and impact of sexual abuse is of global concern, and the alarming rates of victimization have inspired a focus on its prevention. Whilst research has begun to explore the experiences of non-offending individuals to inform prevention initiatives, there is limited exploration of those who have struggled with their sexual interests and go on to commit sexual crime. Arguably these individuals hold key information about gaps in service provision, which may inform approaches to crime prevention. This study aimed to provide a phenomenological exploration of the pre-offense experiences of convicted individuals’ beliefs about help-seeking, their desires for support, and any barriers that might have prevented them from coming forward for help. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 individuals convicted of sexual offenses (n=13 against children; n=1 sexually motivated violence), and interpretative phenomenological analysis elicited three superordinate themes: Desperation, Barriers to Help-seeking, and A Way Forward. The findings shed light on the distressing experience of living with sexual interests that are so openly rejected by society and the many ways participants attempted to cope with this, including multiple failed attempts to seek help. Implications and limitations are discussed

Exploring the ownership of child-like sex dolls

There is a fervent social debate ongoing that relates to the ownership of child-like sex dolls. On the one hand, some proponents of dolls suggest that they offer a safe sexual outlet for minor-attracted people (MAPs) and could be used in efforts to prevent the sexual abuse of children. On the other side of the debate, child-like dolls are seen as articles that sexualize children, encourage deviant fantasies, and increase offending risk. To date, no empirical analyses have been undertaken with people who own such dolls. In this paper, we present data from child-like sex doll owners (n = 85) and MAPs who do not own dolls (n = 120) recruited from online forums visited by people who own sex dolls or forums for people with sexual attractions to children. Specifically, we compared their psychological characteristics and proclivities for sexual aggression. Among non-owners, 79.2% of participants declared an interest in owning a sex doll, which is higher than the 20–40% rate reported in adult-attracted samples of non-owners. We found few differences between the groups on most personality variables, with doll owners being less antisocial and anxiously attached than non-owners, but exhibiting more schizotypal traits. Related to offending proclivities, doll ownership was associated with lower levels of sexual preoccupation and self-reported arousal to hypothetical abuse scenarios, but higher levels of sexually objectifying behaviors and anticipated enjoyment of sexual encounters with children. We discuss these data in relation to a functional model of child-like sex doll ownership among MAPs

"I kind of find that out by accident": probation staff experiences of pharmacological treatment for sexual preoccupation and hypersexuality

Purpose - This paper aimed to explore the views and experiences of probation staff working with individuals convicted of a sexual offence who have been prescribed medication to manage sexual arousal (MMSA). Design/methodology - Semi-structured interviews were utilised with a sample of probation staff (Offender Supervisors and Managers, n=12), who supervise individuals convicted of a sexual offence, either in prison, or post-release in the community. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings - Two main themes emerged: (1) Barriers for probation staff and (2) Suspicious but hopeful. Theme one encapsulates factors that prevent probation staff from engaging with MMSA; theme two highlighted the samples' uncertainty and mistrust of the use of medication as a potential tool for risk management and scepticism about individuals' motivations, particularly in the community. Research limitations – The main limitation of this study was the differing levels of knowledge the sample had about MMSA and their subsequent ability to discuss MMSA other than in a theoretical sense. Practical implications - Practical implications include the need for further training for probation staff, improved collaboration between departments and ongoing support for staff to support the success of the MMSA intervention. Originality/value – This study offers a novel perspective on MMSA - that of the probation staff supervising prisoners taking MMSA. This has not been explored before, and the findings and associated implications are of importance for the treatment and care of those convicted of sexual offences

Understanding the needs of individuals at risk of perpetrating child sexual abuse: a practitioner perspective

Research estimates that as many as one in twenty children in the UK have been a victim of child sexual abuse. The scale of this problem motivates prevention efforts, however there is an apparent absence of preventative intervention for those individuals who are concerned about their sexual preference for children, including those who have not committed an offence. Due to the sensitive nature of child sexual abuse and stigma surrounding paedophilia, individuals who are concerned about their sexual interests in children are unlikely to willingly participate in research. By investigating the experiences of staff that are employed by an organisation offering an anonymous helpline for people who experience sexual thoughts and behaviours towards children, this research aims to develop understanding of the needs of those individuals, in order to establish how child sexual abuse might be prevented. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five practitioners from a sexual abuse prevention organisation and thematic analysis revealed three main themes; Moving service users forward, Barriers to intervention and Prevention: Missing pieces. The first theme identifies ways in which practitioners may help service users to identify their problem, associated risk factors and how they might begin to move forward. The second theme addresses certain factors that prevent service users from accessing or engaging with primary interventions. Finally, the third theme discusses the ways in which primary prevention could be built upon, by considering participants experiences that are shaped by their work in the field of primary intervention, and their experience of service users. This is the first time the needs of those who may benefit from primary prevention in the UK have been explored in this way; therefore each theme is discussed in relation to primary prevention of child sexual abuse

'Because you’ve got faith it doesn’t mean that you’ve got wings on your back’: a qualitative analysis of the accounts of Christian prisoners serving time for a sexual offence

Religious beliefs have been variously promulgated as both protective and risk factors for sexual reoffending. Moreover, therapists working with religious prisoners struggle with unravelling cognitive distortions embedded within religious views, with concerns about accusations of prejudice salient in their mindset. This paper presents a novel contribution to research by combining the qualitative analysis of the accounts offered by individuals (n=12) convicted of sexual offences who describe themselves as Christians. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. This paper focuses on two superordinate themes: (i) The God Effect and (ii) The Shadow Side of Religion. Implications of this research are discussed with reference to the assessment of dynamic risk and protective factors with religious individuals who have been convicted of a sexual offence