Examining Self-Reported Physical Contact With Minors Among Pedophile Support Forum Users

• Published date: 01 March 2020
• DOI: 10.1177/0306624X19873084
• Author: Roberta Liggett,Thomas J. Holt,Jin R. Lee,Karen Holt
• Date: 01 March 2020
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X19873084

International Journal of

Offender Therapy and

Comparative Criminology

2020, Vol. 64(4) 299 –314

© The Author(s) 2019

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DOI: 10.1177/0306624X19873084

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Article

Examining Self-Reported

Physical Contact With

Minors Among Pedophile

Support Forum Users

Karen Holt1, Roberta Liggett1,

Thomas J. Holt1, and Jin R. Lee1

Abstract

Minimal research has considered the extent to which pedophile social support forum

users disclose physical relationships with minors in the course of their posts. As these

forums cater to those who express sexual interests in minors, the users may be at

higher risk for contact offenses and require unique treatment and supervision. To

address this gap in the literature, this study utilized a quantitative analysis of the posts

from 806 users from four separate pedophile support forums to identify the correlates

of self-disclosed contact with minors. The findings demonstrated that although most

users do not disclose physical contact, those who do share several common traits,

specifically fantasies of minors, mentions of relationships with minors, and a sexually

suggestive username. The implications of this analysis for our understanding of the

role of online forums and potential clinical treatment are discussed in detail.

Keywords

pedophilia, subculture, contact offenses, child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation,

online forums

Introduction

Individuals who have a sexual interest in minors are considered to be among the most

despised deviants in society and are therefore strongly stigmatized by the general

public (Jenkins, 1998; Mears, Mancini, Gertz, & Bratton, 2008; Sapp & Vaughn,

1Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA

Corresponding Author:

Thomas J. Holt, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University, 655 Auditorium Road, 434 Baker

Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

Email: holtt@msu.edu

873084IJOXXX10.1177/0306624X19873084International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative CriminologyHolt et al.

research-article2019

300 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 64(4)

1990). As a result, these individuals seek out others who share their sexual interests,

not necessarily to access potential victims or to engage in offending, but as an end in

itself (Tremblay, 2002). The Internet has furthered social connections between indi-

viduals who are attracted to minors through online discussion platforms. Computers

are the preferred medium because they allow individuals to operate in almost complete

anonymity, without fear of social stigma or legal ramification (Alexy, Burgess, &

Baker, 2005; Durkin, 1997; Durkin & Hundersmark, 2007; T. J. Holt, Blevins, &

Burkert, 2010; Rosenmann & Safir, 2006).

There has been particular focus on the role of social support forums which act as

open discussion groups for individuals who share a common sexual interest in minors

to exchange information and embrace social acceptance (e.g., Durkin & Bryan, 1999;

T. J. Holt et al., 2010; Jenkins, 2001; Malesky & Ennis, 2004; Quayle & Taylor, 2001;

Rimer, 2017; Tremblay, 2002). Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts and

feelings regarding their sexual interests, desires for relationships with minors, and

personal experiences to help others realize they are not alone. Individuals do not stum-

ble upon these discussion boards accidently; they seek out the anonymity of the

Internet to find support or, in some cases, indulge their deviant sexual interests

(Jenkins, 2001).

Participants in such communities can be socialized into the subculture, specifically

through the use of an argot or specialized language that communicates the values of its

participants. For instance, participants use the term “child love” to describe their

attractions, which serves to disassociate themselves from more negative constructions

such as “pedophiles” or “child molesters” who harm children (e.g., T. J. Holt et al.,

2010; Jenkins, 2001; Tremblay, 2002). Using this term, participants draw distinct

boundaries between criminal offending and engaging in “nontraditional” relationships

that have been marginalized by society (T. J. Holt et al., 2010; Jenkins, 2001). In addi-

tion, the use of the phrase “love” implies that sexual relationships between adults and

children can be positive and beneficial for the youth, as an adult could be a positive

mentor in the child’s life (Durkin & Bryan, 1999; T. J. Holt et al., 2010; Jenkins, 2001;

Mayer, 1985).

The operators of social support forums also draw clear boundaries about the codes

of conduct in these forums (Tremblay, 2002). The majority of forum users appear to

avoid revealing any illegal behavior they may have engaged in with minors for fear of

legal ramifications (Durkin & Bryan, 1999; T. J. Holt et al., 2010; Quayle & Taylor,

2001). For example, participants are not permitted to openly share child sexually abu-

sive materials and must limit their discussions of overt illicit sexual activities (e.g., T.

J. Holt et al., 2010). Examinations of the communicative themes within a sample of

pedophile support forums found that the concept of sharing fantasies, urges, and non-

sexual interactions with children was most common (McManus, Almond, Cubbon,

Boulton, & Mears, 2016).

Despite the boundaries and rules espoused by these forums, the proliferation of the

Internet and digital technology created myriad avenues for child sexual exploitation

offenses, particularly the manufacturing and distribution of child sexually abusive

materials, sexual extortion, solicitation of minors, and contact offenses off-line (e.g.,