Utilising a user-centered design approach to design and develop a technological prevention tool to support effective self-management of individuals at risk of committing CSAM offences

• In Event: Changing the real-world response to online child sexual abuse through research and innovation

Abstract

The volume of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) available online and the global demand for it has reached unprecedented levels. Increasing numbers of individuals concerned about their online behaviour are contacting therapeutic providers for help and support outside of the criminal justice system. Previous research asking individuals what would help them to stop viewing CSAM suggests that the availability of a technological solution to voluntarily self-manage access to CSAM could be an effective tool. Funded by the EU Commission, Project Protech employed a user—centered design (UCD) approach to the development of the ‘Salus’ prototype, a technological prevention tool to support effective self-management of individuals at risk of committing a first or further CSAM offence(s) by blocking, in real time and at device level, access to CSAM. A USD approach was adopted in order to ensure Salus met the real-life needs of the end users, through a participatory process. To do this we conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 at-risk individuals across three European settings, to explore the specific needs, design features, deployment methods, concerns and barriers for the design, development and implementation of an effective prevention tool at the individual level. Additionally, 5 focus groups were held across four European settings with service providers with extensive experience of dealing with individuals at risk of committing CSAM offences to explore the same issues at the service level. Thematic analysis of interview and focus group data revealed themes relating to three main areas of design; privacy/accessibility, blocking features and interactivity, which were integrated into the design and development of the final Salus prototype, to be piloted across Europe during 2024. The presentation will include a demonstration of the final Salus prototype and a consideration of lessons learnt from the first phase of Project Protech.

Authors

• Samantha Lundrigan, Policing Institute for the Eastern Region

• Deanna Davy, Policing Institute for the Eastern Region

• Lea Charlotte Kamitz, Anglia Ruskin Univeristy

• Minne DeBoeck, University Forensic Center, Antwerp University Hospital

• Larissa Van Puyvelde, University Forensic Center, Antwerp University Hospital