Preliminary findings of a therapist chat study to STOP-CSAM

• In Event: Prevention of sex crimes

Abstract

The recent years have witnessed an unprecedented increase in the availability and distribution of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). One of the direct consequences of such proliferation of CSAM is the expansion of demand, and accordingly the continuation of child sexual abuse (CSA). However, at least about 80% of CSAM use offenses remain undetected, due to the ever-advancing technological development, in addition to the limited resources for criminal investigation and prosecution. Therefore, causer-related prevention and health care has become more instrumental in addressing the overarching goal of fighting CSAM, and consequently CSA altogether. An online text-message based therapist chat service (TCS) was launched in October 2023 as part of an EU-funded project, STOP-CSAM, placed within the well-established network of the Prevention Project Dunkelfeld (PPD) and the online self-help platform Troubled Desire. This study is a prospective, multicentered, stratified, parallel-group superiority study conducted in languages, namely English, German, Czech, Spanish and Portuguese. Participants are randomized to an intervention group or a four-week waiting list, i.e., control group, followed by the same intervention. The latter is an adaptation of the Berlin Dissexuality Therapy Manual to an appointment-based, free, and anonymous intervention delivered in a structured 4-weeks live chat format to high-risk CSAM users who are seeking help voluntarily. Assessments are conducted at baseline (pre-intervention) and on a bi-weekly basis post-intervention, including self-reported severity and frequency of CSAM use, as well as risk factors for the latter, and psychological well-being. Preliminary findings of the study will be presented at the conference. This aim of the present study is to test whether the TCS intervention is effective in terms of CSAM use reduction and increase of mental well-being. The first learnings on the provided intervention will be discussed within the current knowledge on CSAM use, providing a forward-looking perspective on that innovative solution.

Authors

• Marek Navrátil, National Institute of Mental Health CZ

• Lucie Krejčová, National Institute of Mental Health

• Thuy Nguyen Vo, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC)