The goal of this prospective multicentred, stratified, parallel-group superiority study is to prevent and reduce the usage of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) by a Therapist Chat Service (TCS) and Selfhelp Platform for Self-Referred Patients, mostly men with a sexual interest in children. The interventions are based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles and designed to treat the sexual behavioral disorder related with CSAM consumption.
1. Participants in the Selfhelp modules group will show a statistically significantly higher proportion of reduction in CSAM behaviours four weeks after baseline, as compared to participants in the waitlist control group. 2. Participants in the Selfhelp modules followed by TCS group will show a statistically significantly higher reduction of CSAM behaviours compared to participants in the Selfhelp-only and TCS-only groups, post-intervention.
Researchers will compare TCS-only-, Selfhelp-only-, Selfhelp + TCS- and Waiting group to see if if the interventions decrease CSAM use and improve mental well-being.
Participants will get web based selfhelp-modules and/or text-based chat intervention operated by trained therapists.
Adult participant (≥18 years);
recent (last 2 weeks) CSAM use or past CSAM use and self-reported risk;
proficiency in English, German or Spanish;
voluntary participation and agreement to the terms of the study.
Severe neuropsychiatric comorbidities (unstable psychotic disorder, organic brain damage, diminished intellectual functioning, untreated drug or alcohol addiction);
history of contact CSA perpetration (past or present);
ongoing criminal investigation, trial, punishment, or probation status for online or offline CSA or CSAM use;
current inpatient psychiatric treatment or other concurrent treatment targeting CSAM behaviours
Charite University, Berlin, Germany
Lead sponsor
Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Collaborator