Themes in participant feedback on a risk reduction programme for child sexual exploitation material offenders

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe number of yearly Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM) convictions is escalating. Whilst some CSEM offenders receive custodial sentences, others are sentenced to a range of community disposals. There exist only a few community-based programmes designed specifically for CSEM offenders, despite an increasing need. Of the programmes that do exist, there is a paucity of research examining programme utility. This qualitative study aimed to evaluate a community-based psycho-educational programme, “Inform Plus”, utilising interviews from 13 male programme leavers, alongside interviews from 8 non-offending others associated with the programme leavers. Results were positive. After course completion, CSEM offenders reported feeling better able to manage their thoughts, feelings and behaviours which may be related to their internet offending. The programme was found to initiate a motivation for self-fuelled change, to facilitate communication within and beyond the group therapy setting, and to make accessible to the participants the possibility and goal of a desirable future away from offending. Non-offending others comprising the partners or parents of Inform Plus participants and other associated professionals independently validated these results.