Do theory of mind, affective resonance with others' pain, and response inhibition distinguish online-only from contact child sexual offenders?

This project will use a solution-focussed approach to identify the psychological processes that can be targeted to ensure that potential high risk groups, such as men who view online child sexual exploitation material, but who have not committed contact sexual offences, do not abuse and harm children. The last four years have seen a steep upward trend in the number of recorded sexual offences against children under 16, and as recently as 2017 there has been a marked increase in sexual activity involving a child under 13. However, we know that some men who view online child sexual exploitation material will never progress to committing contact offences: therefore, the identification of protective factors is a key approach that may help to identify potential treatment targets and reduce child sexual abuse. To understand why, we need to know if contact sexual offenders are distinguishable from 'online-only' offenders and offender and non-offender controls in 1) theory of mind abilities, that is, the ability to understand others' thoughts, feelings, intentions and beliefs; 2) affective resonance with others' pain, that is, the ability to vicariously experience the pain of another; and 3) the ability to inhibit a prepotent response. The objectives of the proposed work are to use tests of social-affective functioning and response inhibition, and physiological measures, to create a psychological profile that can distinguish between online-only and contact sexual offenders and help to identify the psychological processes that protect against contact sexual offending. The results of this research will aid the design of psychologically informed treatment programs with the ultimate aim of reducing contact sexual offending and protecting children from harm. These results will be communicated to scientists, policy makers, treatment providers, and relevant charitable organisations to inform future prevention and intervention efforts and keep children safe.

This work will provide a novel theoretical contribution to understanding the factors that can protect against committing contact child sexual abuse. It has the potential to impact the work of scientists who study sexual abuse from clinical, social cognitive, and psychophysiological perspectives, as well as policy makers, research and evaluation specialists in the UK Ministry of Justice, those responsible for the design and delivery of offender behaviour programs, as well as those working with sex offenders internationally.

The project, which is consistent with the biopsychosocial perspective adapted by the Ministry of Justice, has the potential to be far reaching in its impact. Child sexual abuse represents a public health problem that causes considerable harm to victims, and has enormous societal and financial costs. Our work will have a direct impact on understanding online-only and contact sexual offending. A robust examination of the differences in social, cognitive and affective mechanisms between these two groups, and compared with violent offenders without a history of sexual offending, will help to identify potential protective factors that help men with a sexual interest in children to avoid committing contact sexual offences. These findings will help to illuminate new pathways in sex offender treatment, focussed on problems in social, cognitive and affective functioning, and would allow for the development of evidence based interventions.

While there is some evidence that existing and previous psychological interventions for rehabilitating sexual offenders can lead to positive outcomes, a large scale evaluation commissioned by the Ministry of Justice showed that the prison based sex offender treatment program that was delivered to sexual offenders in England and Wales was ineffective. Thus, the continued development of improved interventions is a priority for reducing risk of sexual recidivism and protecting children from harm. These aims have been highlighted by Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service as priority research areas. More recent offender behaviour programs are delivered to offenders based on risk rather than offence type, and this work has the potential to inform the delivery of specialist modules targeting areas of social, cognitive and affective functioning that differentiate contact from online-only offenders. The inclusion of a control group of participants who have a history of violent non-sexual offending means that this work can also be informative about other moderate to high risk offenders who these programs are delivered to.

An important part of this grant will be the networking opportunities and links to key stakeholders that the PI will be afforded by his mentor. In addition, the PI will maintain regular dialogue with key stakeholders (e.g., Ministry of Justice Prison and Probation Analytical Services) and plan a flagship dissemination event to target both local and national policy and practitioner representatives. Presentation of the findings at national and international meetings, such as the annual conference of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA), will ensure that the findings are disseminated to both academics and practitioners. Any resultant advances in therapy which lead to reduced recidivism rates will clearly be of benefit to potential victims and society as a whole.

The issue of sexual offending is also a cause of considerable public concern. These concerns have been magnified following the unveiling of high profile cases that have attracted increased public and media attention. Engaging with the public via press releases and presentations at public science events (e.g., Pint of Science) will lead to a more enlightened public understanding of sexual offenders and their crimes.