Acceptability of a Self-Help Programme to Address the Use of Indecent Images of Children

The use of indecent images of children (IIOC) is of continued concern and growing prevalence. A multi-agency approach to this online crime is necessary, as it cannot be eradicated by law enforcement alone. Previous research has examined the pathways to offending for this population, and prevention s...

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Main Authors: Sarah Wefers, Alexandra Bailey, Nadia Rasooli, Donald Findlater, Lucy Allen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PsychOpen GOLD/ Leibniz Institute for Psychology 2024-12-01
Series:Sexual Offending
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.5964/sotrap.11159
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author Sarah Wefers
Alexandra Bailey
Nadia Rasooli
Donald Findlater
Lucy Allen
author_facet Sarah Wefers
Alexandra Bailey
Nadia Rasooli
Donald Findlater
Lucy Allen
author_sort Sarah Wefers
collection DOAJ
description The use of indecent images of children (IIOC) is of continued concern and growing prevalence. A multi-agency approach to this online crime is necessary, as it cannot be eradicated by law enforcement alone. Previous research has examined the pathways to offending for this population, and prevention strategies that could be used to deter offending in the first instance, or to stop behaviour once it has begun. The current qualitative study aimed to explore acceptability of a prevention initiative; a self-help focussed service (a website and calls with a professional). Semi-structured interviews with eight individuals who had accessed IIOC and engaged in this self-help focussed service were conducted. Transcripts were analysed using qualitative framework approach, using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) domains as deductive codes. All seven domains of the TFA were identified in the transcripts, indicating the applicability of the framework. Overall, participants reported mixed acceptability of and satisfaction with the self-help programme and calls with practitioners, but high perceived effectiveness in the service supporting them stop their illegal behaviours. The implications of the study are considered in line with improvements that could be made to this existing self-help prevention initiative.
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publisher PsychOpen GOLD/ Leibniz Institute for Psychology
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series Sexual Offending
spelling doaj-art-58708a04d69d4187bb4b187eb4becc3f2025-08-20T02:26:59ZengPsychOpen GOLD/ Leibniz Institute for PsychologySexual Offending2699-84402024-12-011910.5964/sotrap.11159sotrap.11159Acceptability of a Self-Help Programme to Address the Use of Indecent Images of ChildrenSarah Wefers0Alexandra Bailey1Nadia Rasooli2Donald Findlater3Lucy Allen4Lucy Faithfull Foundation, Epsom, United KingdomLucy Faithfull Foundation, Epsom, United KingdomLucy Faithfull Foundation, Epsom, United KingdomLucy Faithfull Foundation, Epsom, United KingdomLucy Faithfull Foundation, Epsom, United KingdomThe use of indecent images of children (IIOC) is of continued concern and growing prevalence. A multi-agency approach to this online crime is necessary, as it cannot be eradicated by law enforcement alone. Previous research has examined the pathways to offending for this population, and prevention strategies that could be used to deter offending in the first instance, or to stop behaviour once it has begun. The current qualitative study aimed to explore acceptability of a prevention initiative; a self-help focussed service (a website and calls with a professional). Semi-structured interviews with eight individuals who had accessed IIOC and engaged in this self-help focussed service were conducted. Transcripts were analysed using qualitative framework approach, using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) domains as deductive codes. All seven domains of the TFA were identified in the transcripts, indicating the applicability of the framework. Overall, participants reported mixed acceptability of and satisfaction with the self-help programme and calls with practitioners, but high perceived effectiveness in the service supporting them stop their illegal behaviours. The implications of the study are considered in line with improvements that could be made to this existing self-help prevention initiative.https://doi.org/10.5964/sotrap.11159preventionself-helpindecent images of childrenchild sexual abuse materialevaluationacceptability
spellingShingle Sarah Wefers
Alexandra Bailey
Nadia Rasooli
Donald Findlater
Lucy Allen
Acceptability of a Self-Help Programme to Address the Use of Indecent Images of Children
Sexual Offending
prevention
self-help
indecent images of children
child sexual abuse material
evaluation
acceptability
title Acceptability of a Self-Help Programme to Address the Use of Indecent Images of Children
title_full Acceptability of a Self-Help Programme to Address the Use of Indecent Images of Children
title_fullStr Acceptability of a Self-Help Programme to Address the Use of Indecent Images of Children
title_full_unstemmed Acceptability of a Self-Help Programme to Address the Use of Indecent Images of Children
title_short Acceptability of a Self-Help Programme to Address the Use of Indecent Images of Children
title_sort acceptability of a self help programme to address the use of indecent images of children
topic prevention
self-help
indecent images of children
child sexual abuse material
evaluation
acceptability
url https://doi.org/10.5964/sotrap.11159
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