Are all Sex Criminals the Same? Consumers of Child Pornography Reconsidered
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6000/2817-2302.2023.02.07Keywords:
Sex offenders, child pornographyAbstract
A theoretical and practical distinction is drawn between sex offenders and consumers of child pornography on the bases of their unique and different psychological makeups and motives to offend. Distinct psychological profiles have been revealed in clinical practice and in research between “active” sex offenders (e.g., sexual assault, sexual abuse, molestation, active pedophiles, etc.) and “passive” sex offenders (i.e., those prosecuted for consumption of child pornography). Recommendations are made for legislation changes and development of treatment approaches, based on these differences.
References
ABC13. (2012). Woman arrested for child porn after nationwide search. Eyewitness News, https://abc13.com/archive/8928166/
Augarde, S., & Rydon-Grange, M. (2022). Female perpetrators of child sexual abuse: A review of the clinical and empirical literature - A 20 - years update. Aggression and Violent Behavior, Vol. 62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2021.101687
Babbel, S. (2011). Who are the perpetrators of child abuse? Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/ blog/somatic-psychology/201105/who-are-the-perp etrators-child-abuse
Black, G.P., & Hawk II, K.R. (2012). Computer Crimes & Computer / Internet Based Child Pornography Crimes. Santa Fe, NM: Winning Strategies.
Burkitt, B. (2019). Records: Teacher Brittany Zamora had sex with boy in classroom while other student watched. The Republic / azcentral.com https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/ southwest-valley/2019/02/27/brittany- zamora- public-records-detail-goodyear-teacher-sexual-assault-allegations- student/2980023002/
California State Department of Justice. (2019). California Penal Code: Abridged Criminal Justice Edition. San Clemente, CA: Law Tech Publishing Group.
Caudill, O. B., & Pope, K.S. (1995). Law & Mental Health Professionals: California. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.
Crampton, H.K., (2022). Paying a debt to society: Expunging criminal records as a pathway to increased employment. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 701 (1). https://doi.org/10.1177/00027162221119952
Endrass, J., Urbaniok, F., Hammermeister, L. C., Benz, C., Elbert, T., Laubacher, A., & Rossegger, A. (2009). The consumption of internet child pornography and violent and sex offending. BMC Psychiatry, 9 (43). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-9-43
Exum, J.J. (2011). What’s happening with child pornography sentencing? Federal sentencing reporter, Vol. 24 (2). https://doi.org/10.1525/fsr.2011.24.2.85
Feyerick, D., & Steffen, S. (2009). 'Sexting' lands teen on sex offender list. American Morning, CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/07/sexting.busts/
Foster, R. (2013). Treatment of child porn offenders, like any addiction, remains elusive. The Sun Chronicle. https://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/treatment-of-child-porn-offenders-lik e-any-addiction-remains-elusive/article_17ae29af-93df-5337-8e7a-68706b6de52d.html
Gaedicke, S., Schäfer, A., Ohlert, J., Hoffmann, B., Allroggen, M., Hartmann-Tews, I., & Rulofs, B. (2021). Sexual Violence and the coach - athlete relationship - A scoping review from sport sociological and sport psychological perspectives. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, Vol. 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.643707
Grasha, K. (2019). Ex-Sycamore teacher, once charged with sex crime, sentenced to probation. Cincinnati Enquirer. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/crime/crime-and-courts/2019/07/12/ex-sycamore- teacher-once-charged-sex-crime-gets-probation/1713562001/
Hansen, E.L. (2016). Who is harmed by fantasy? A deliberative and charter analysis of Canada's pornography law. Dalhousie Journal of Legal Studies, Vol. 25 digitalcommons.schulichlaw.dal.ca/djls/
Hasinoff, A.A. (2012). Sexting as media production: Rethinking social media and sexuality. New Media and Society, Vol. 15 (4). https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444812459171
Henshaw, M., Ogloff, J.R.P., & Clough, J.A. (2017). Looking beyond the screeen: A critical review of the literature on the online child pornography offender. Sexual Abuse, Vol. 29 (5). https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063215603690
Hessick, C.B. (2011). Post-Booker leniency in child pornography sentencing. Federal sentencing reporter, Vol. 24 (2). https://doi.org/10.1525/fsr.2011.24.2.87
Hessick, C.B. (2022). Questioning the modern criminal justice focus on child pornography possession. Refining Child Pornography Law. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.
Lambine, M.E., (2010). Pedophilic, rapist and mixed sexual offenders: An application of the self-regulation model. Psychology Theses, Paper 6. https://docs.rwu.edu/psych_thesis/6/
Lowenstein, L. (2005). Recent research into the dowloading of child pornographic materials from the internet (1983-2004). Safer Communities, Vol. 4 (3). https://doi.org/10.1108/17578043200500016
Miller, H.A., Amenta, A.E., & Conroy, M.A. (2005). Sexually violent predator evaluations: Empirical evidence, strategies for professionals, and research directions. Law and Human Behavior, Vol. 29 (1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10979-005-1398-y
Morris, D. (1994). The Human Animal. New York, NY: Crown Publishers, Inc.
Morris, D. (1997). The Human Sexes. New York, NY: St. Martin Press.
Neutze, J., Grundmann, D., Scherner, G., & Beier, K.M. (2012). Undetected and detected child sexual abuse and child pornography offenders. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, Vol. 35 (3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2012.02.004
Neutze, J., Seto, M.C., Schaefer, G.A., Mundt, I.A., & Beier, K.M. (2010). Predictors of child pornography offenses and child sexual abuse in a community sample of pedophiles and hebephiles. Sexual Abuse, Vol. 23 (2). https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063210382043
Pereda-Perez, P. (2017). Harmful sexual behaviour: What works for non-mandated adults? Evidence Brief. Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Social Development Publication. https://Harmful_Sexual_Behaviour_What_works_for.pdf
Prescott, J.J. (2011). Child pornography and community notification: How an attempt to reduce crime can achieve the opposite. Federal Sentencing Reporter, Vol. 24 (2). https://doi.org/10.1525/fsr.2011.24.2.93
Riegel, D.L. (2004). Beyond Hysteria: Boy Erotica on the Internet. Chicago, IL: Safe Haven Press.
Rimanowicz, K. (2021). Keeping kids safe: Female perpetrators of child sexual abuse. Michigan State University Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu/creating-safe-environments/uploads/files/Female%20Perpetrators%20 of%20Child%20Sexual%20Abusers%20-%209.16.pdf
Seto, M.C., Cantor, J.M., & Blanchard, R. (2006). Child pornography offenses are a valid diagnostic indicator of pedophilia. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 115(3), 610-615. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.115.3.610
Schmidt, A. F., Gykiere, K., Vanhoeck, K., Mann, R. E., & Banse, R. (2013). Direct and indirect measures of sexual maturity preferences differentiate subtypes of child sexual abusers. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063213480817
Smith, J., & Lenthang, M. (2019). Teacher, 27, who had sex with a female student, 17, AVOIDS jail and will serve probation after court hears how the youngster is still in love with her and their relationship with 'probably continue.' Dailymail.com https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7242331/Teacher-affair-student-avoids-jail-jud ‘ge-says-isnt-sexual-predator.html
Stabenow, T. (2011). A method for careful study: A proposal for reforming the child pornography guidelines. Federal Sentencing Reporter, Vol. 24 (2). https://doi.org/10.1525/fsr.2011.24.2.108
Thomas, A.G., Cauffman, E. (2014). Youth sexting as child pornography? Developmental science supports less harsh sanctions for juvenile sexters. New Criminal Law Review: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal, Vol. 17 (4). https://doi.org/10.1525/nclr.2014.17.4.631
TMZ. (2018). Tekashi69 gets 4 years probation in child sex case... Says he's Daniel now. TMZ https://www.tmz.com/2018/ 10/26/tekashi69-child-sex-case-sentencing-probation/
Tozdan, S., & Briken, P. (2022). Expert opinion on the topic “Child sexual abuse by women.” The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Vol. 19 (5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.02.003
Turner, D., Rettenberger, M., Lohmann, L., Eher, R., & Briken, P. (2013). Pedophilic sexual interests and psychopathy in child sexual abusers working with children. Child Abuse and Neglect, Vol. 38 (2), pp. 326-335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.07.019
Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1974). Judgment under uncertainty: heuristics and biases. Science, 185. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.185.4157.1124
Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1983). Extensional versus intuitive reasoning: the conjunction fallacy in probability judgment. Psychological Review, 90. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.90.4.293
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). People who engage in sexual abuse or exploitation. https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/can/people/sexabuse/
van Dam, C. (2001). Identifying Child Molesters. Binghampton, NY: The Haworth Press, Inc.
Van Es, L. (2015). Virtual child pornography as potential remedy against child sexual abuse. The Maastricht Research Based Learning. https://openjournals.maastrichtuniversity.nl Lae.vanes@student.maastrichtuniversity.nl
Webb, L., Craissati, J., & Keen, S. (2007). Characteristics of internet child pornography offenders: A comparison with child molesters. Sexual Abuse, Vol. 19 (4). https://doi.org/10.1177/107906320701900408