Exploring Patterns of Men’s Self-Reported Sexual Behaviours, Feelings, and Interests Towards Children

TL;DR

This study explores how common self-reported sexual interest and behaviors toward children are among men in Australia, the UK, and the US, finding significant variation and patterns linked to demographics.

Contribution

The study provides population-level prevalence estimates and identifies demographic and behavioral patterns of self-reported sexual interest in children among men.

Findings

Approximately 8% of men reported sexual feelings towards children, with higher rates in the US compared to Australia and the UK.

Men who live or work with children showed the strongest associations with multiple self-reported sexual behaviors toward children.

Findings suggest the need for tiered prevention strategies and safeguards for roles involving child contact.

Abstract

Child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) is prevalent worldwide. Yet, knowledge about potential perpetrators in the community is constrained by reliance on justice-involved and clinical samples, which limits external validity and obscures undetected behaviour. This study estimates population-level prevalence, demographic correlates, and co-endorsement patterns of men’s self-reported sexual feelings, interests, and behaviours towards children. We analyse an anonymous online survey of 4,918 adult men quota-matched and weighted to national populations in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In pooled analyses, 8.0% reported sexual feelings towards children, 7.4% would likely have sexual contact with a child if undetected, 5.5% to 5.7% would watch child sexual abuse material or a webcam show, and 2.4% to 4.7% reporting engagement in online or contact offending. Prevalence estimates were consistently higher in the United States than in Australia and the United Kingdom. Age distributions generally showed peaks in early adulthood with subsequent decline, alongside later-life upticks for selected outcomes. Sociodemographic indicators linked to trust or access (higher income, being partnered, employment, university education, children in the household, and working with children) were consistently associated with multiple outcomes, with the largest effect sizes for men who live or work with children. Overlap analyses and a nodewise LASSO-based Ising network indicated coherent clusters (online behaviours, contact behaviour, and interest) with strong within-cluster and bridging connections. Findings support tiered prevention that distinguishes interest from behaviour, age-responsive strategies, and strengthened safeguards for child-contact roles, while providing cross-national baselines to inform surveillance, resource allocation, and targeted intervention.

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