RESEARCH ARTICLE
We are thrilled to announce the publication of our latest research article, “Factors Associated with Help-Seeking Among Online Child Sexual Abuse Material Offenders: Results of an Anonymous Survey on the Dark Web,” in the Stanford Internet Observatory's Journal of Online Trust & Safety.
This groundbreaking study, conducted by a dedicated and interdisciplinary team—Tegan Insoll, Valeriia Soloveva, Eva Díaz Bethencourt, Anna K. Ovaska, Juha Nurmi, Arttu Paju, Mikko Aaltonen, and Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen—delves into a critical issue: why some online CSAM offenders seek help while others do not.
Key Findings:
Desire to Stop: Over 55% of offenders surveyed expressed a wish to stop using CSAM. Despite this, less than 14% have sought help, and a mere 3% have accessed treatment.
Barriers to Help-Seeking: The study identifies significant barriers to help-seeking, including mental health struggles, daily life difficulties, and the challenges of accessing intervention services.
High-Risk Groups: Offenders who view CSAM involving toddlers and infants, or who experience self-harm and suicidal thoughts, are more likely to seek help. This highlights the urgent need for targeted support for high-risk individuals.
Our research, funded by the Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund, aims to inform and improve intervention strategies. By understanding the factors that influence help-seeking behaviour, we hope to enhance prevention programs and create more effective support systems for those at risk.
We invite you to read the full article [here] and explore the comprehensive analysis of our findings. This research represents a crucial step towards strengthening efforts to combat online child exploitation and ensuring a safer online environment for children.
Acknowledgements
We extend our gratitude to the editorial team and reviewers at the Journal of Online Trust & Safety for their invaluable feedback and support throughout the publication process. We also thank the Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund for their generous support, which made this research possible.
Funding
This article was written as part of the Prevention to Protect research project, funded by the Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund.
