The Prevalence and Correlates of Child Sexual Offending Behaviours and Attitudes Among Men in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States: Study Methodology

TL;DR

This study outlines a survey methodology to understand the prevalence and factors related to child sexual offending behaviors and attitudes among men in Australia, the UK, and the US.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel international survey methodology with census-matched quotas to assess child sexual exploitation behaviors and attitudes.

Findings

The survey retained 4,918 participants across three countries with demographics matching census benchmarks.

Prevalence of online child sexual exploitation behaviors was comparable to other non-clinical community samples.

The study highlights limitations such as potential selection bias and the need for future research in non-English and low-income countries.

Abstract

This paper describes the methodology for an online survey of the prevalence and factors associated with interest and behaviours towards children among men aged 18 years or older from the general Australian, U.K., and U.S. adult male populations. The study collected data on demographic characteristics, health issues, social support, childhood adversity, and patterns of technology and internet use, as well as attitudes and behaviours relating to online and offline child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA). Surveys were administered through Prime Panels using census-matched quotas. Data were subsequently weighted via iterative proportional fitting. Of the 7,343 people who consented to participate in the survey, 4,918 were retained (Australia = 1,939; United Kingdom = 1,506; United States = 1,473). The demographic characteristics for the weighted samples were comparable to the Australian, U.K., and U.S. male census benchmarks. The proportion of men who engaged in online CSEA or had hebephiliac interest was also comparable to the pooled prevalence obtained from 11 other non-clinical, community samples. Despite this study’s strengths, including its international scope and broad data collection, the study is limited by the potential for selection and social desirability bias, as well as the implications of not distinguishing the ages of participants in consensual sexual activities. Future research directions include expanding the study to non-English and low-income countries and integrating longitudinal and qualitative methodologies.

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