A Systematic Review into Risk and Protective Factors for Online Sex Offending

Abstract

With the increased availability of the internet and new technologies, use of the internet to commit sex offences has been well documented. Despite increased interest, no systematic review has yet evaluated the risk and protective factors evidenced for online sex offending among those engaged in such behaviour. The current review aims to investigate this via a systematic review of 43 relevant articles. The emerged focus was on child abuse images. Thematic analysis identified seven risk factors: evidence for cognitive distortions; difficulties with relationships; managing isolation, loneliness, and boredom; psychological traits connected to low self-worth, poor psychological health, and impulse challenges; interest in deviant sexual material; child abuse images as reinforcing for emotions; and developing a hyper-fixation and preoccupation with sex. Limitations and implications are discussed, including the absence of researched protective factors.