Project VERANDA: Requirement Analysis Survey

Between 0.6% and 22.2% of the global adult male population has a sexual interest in children (SIIC), depending on evaluation methods \[1\]. SIIC constitutes a major risk factor for child sexual abuse (CSA) and viewing of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The true rates of CSA offences cannot be estimated, but self-report studies find 30 times higher rates of child-reported CSA compared to reports from child protection services or police.

Engagement in therapy is a protective factor against the risk of child sexual abuse and can lead to reductions in CSAM consumption and severity. Anticipated negative therapist behaviour is associated with less willingness to seek treatment. The fear of being reported by the therapist discourages participation in therapy, a concern complicated by mandatory reporting laws in some countries. Negative attitudes towards ISIC are high, and SIIC may be the most stigmatised trait globally.

Identifying barriers to treatment for ISIC, and of measures to overcome them, is important to increase therapy engagement, with the goal to improve wellbeing, reduce CSAM consumption, and reduce the risk of CSA offences. Patient anonymity during therapy may play an important role in increasing disclosure of stigmatised traits. It remains unclear whether anonymous therapy addresses patient treatment anxieties and therefore increases the comfort or willingness to engage in therapy. To address this research gap, we conduct an anonymous online survey with ISIC to answer the following questions:

RQ1. Can online therapy preferences be identified for minor-attacted individuals and for their therapists?

RQ2. Are there individual factors that predict stigmatized individuals' online therapy preferences? (E.g. Trust, Self-Stigma)

RQ3. Are there differences between the different stigmatized groups', therapists, and general populations' online therapy preferences?