Abstract
The large numbers of victims and the extensive harmful effects of child sexual abuse (CSA) necessitate dedicated attention towards prevention efforts. Since such abuse harms all layers of society, its prevention needs to be approached as a public health problem. Smallbone et al. (Preventing child sexual abuse: Evidence, policy and practice. Willan Publishing, 2008) developed a specific framework for the prevention of CSA. This framework focuses on prevention from the (potential) victim, (potential) perpetrator, and situational perspectives and from the perspective of community. In this chapter, we discuss the prevention of CSA specifically from the perspective of the (potential) perpetrator by providing insight into international prevention initiatives that have been taken by the Stop it Now! helplines. By means of the framework, we discuss what’s needed for effective offender-oriented prevention according to Stop it Now!.
All authors are employees of the Stop it Now! projects.
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Notes
- 1.
Although we prefer person-first language, ‘perpetrator/potential perpetrator’ terminology will be used for efficiency in subsequent paragraphs. In addition, this terminology is used in the framework for the prevention of CSA developed by Smallbone et al. (2008).
- 2.
We prefer not to use the term ‘child pornography’, which fails to convey the illegal and abusive nature its content. The abbreviation CSEM is used to refer to viewing and sharing sexual images of under 18s, online sexual grooming, live streaming, and coercing and blackmailing children for sexual purposes. CSEM also has limitations because this often excludes eroticised images of teenagers or much self-generated material. CSEM has been used because it is common in the scientific literature and it simplifies the text.
- 3.
I.T.E.R. Brussels: impulscontrole, terugvalpreventie, empathietraining, en responsabilisering.
- 4.
www.get-help.stopitnow.org.uk; stoppenismogelijk.eu
- 5.
Specifically, it was suggested that all devices are password protected and internet browser restrictions put in place.
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De Boeck, M., Coleman, J., Van Dijk, J., Findlater, D. (2022). Moving Forward in Offender-Oriented Prevention: The Stop It Now! Prevention Project from an International Perspective. In: Uzieblo, K., Smid, W.J., McCartan, K. (eds) Challenges in the Management of People Convicted of a Sexual Offence. Palgrave Studies in Risk, Crime and Society. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80212-7_16
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