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

TL;DR

This study explores how acceptable and effective a self-help program called Get Help is for people who use indecent images of children, finding that it can help users stop illegal behaviors with the right support.

Contribution

The study evaluates the acceptability of a self-help program for IIOC users and identifies areas for improvement in its design and delivery.

Findings

Participants reported mixed acceptability of the self-help program but high perceived effectiveness in stopping illegal behaviors.

Some users found the program difficult to navigate or emotionally challenging to engage with.

Professional support improved outcomes for users of the self-help program.

Abstract

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.

The use of indecent images of children (IIOC) online causes severe harm to children and society. The high numbers of offences including such material cannot be tackled by law enforcement alone and needs prevention and intervention, helping people who have offended or are at risk of offending to stop.

Some self-help programmes for people at risk of online offending exist, but it is not yet known how well they work. This study explored how acceptable users of one self-help programme called Get Help found the programme to help understand how such programmes should be designed and delivered.

Users of the Get Help programme were interviewed about their experience of using the self-help material and discussing them with a practitioner. Feedback included that some participants found parts of the material difficult to work through, due to the negative emotions it brought up, the website being difficult to navigate, or due to additional needs like dyslexia. Participants reported that the modules helped them in stopping and continuing their desistance from the illegal behaviour.

Self-help programmes can help people in not engaging in illegal online behaviours. Websites that host such self-help programmes should be easily accessible, anonymous to use, and professional support should be offered for users to help them work through the material.

Online self-help programmes provide low-threshold support for people who are concerned about their use of indecent images of children.Online self-help programmes can help users of indecent images of children to stop and continue desisting from their illegal behaviours.Support from practitioners may improve outcomes for users of such online self-help programmes.

Online self-help programmes provide low-threshold support for people who are concerned about their use of indecent images of children.

Online self-help programmes can help users of indecent images of children to stop and continue desisting from their illegal behaviours.

Support from practitioners may improve outcomes for users of such online self-help programmes.