Sexual exploitation of children is a major problem around the world, that unfortunately seems to be increasing with the advancement of technology. This online treatment program uses modern technology combined with proven therapeutic techniques to reduce the risk for sexual child abuse – and early data shows that it works.
Prevent It pedophile treatment program
The treatment program, called Prevent It, builds on cognitive behavioral therapy and is a nine-week program with individual support that is conducted digitally and free of charge. It is aimed at pedophiles who are concerned about their sexual urges involving children. Participants will be recruited from encrypted web forums on the Darknet and via advertisements in search engines and social media.
Police authorities in Sweden, Germany, and Portugal will also encourage individuals suspected of sexual crimes against children to take part. The police will, however, not be able to follow up whether the suspect signs up for the program, or how he/she is doing in the program. An important condition for reaching the affected group and being able to evaluate the program scientifically is that the participants can be completely anonymous.
Malin Joleby, coordinator of the Swedish part of the project and a researcher at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, explained,
“Often, people who need and want help, don’t dare to contact the health care system, because of shame or fear of being reported to the police. Our hope is to reach people who would not otherwise seek help and to be able to offer a treatment program that is scientifically developed and evaluated.”
First pilot study was a resounding success
A first pilot study of Prevent It was conducted in English in 2019–2021 and focused on people who used illegal, sexual content depicting children. The results showed that the treatment program works; treatment participants significantly reduced the time they spent viewing this content compared to individuals who were randomly assigned to a placebo condition. Roughly half of the participants that completed the program reported not having viewed illegal images of children at all during the preceding week. In addition, it was well-appreciated by the participants, which is crucial in getting people to want to undergo the treatment.
The results of the pilot study give hope that it is possible to help people with sexual urges involving children effectively and safely. Therefore, the program is now being launched on a larger scale across the EU. In addition to an updated English version, the program has also been translated and culturally adapted into three new languages: Swedish, German and Portuguese.
You can read more about the Prevent It program here (and anonymously register for participation).
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In-Article Image Credits
AFIS billboard poster child abuse sad little girl via The U.S. National Archives with usage type - Public DomainFeatured Image Credit
AFIS billboard poster child abuse sad little girl via The U.S. National Archives with usage type - Public Domain
