Improving the provision of services in the community for people with a sexual attraction to minors, people at risk of and/or who have perpetrated sexual abuse against children
Cardoso, Cristiana (2023) Improving the provision of services in the community for people with a sexual attraction to minors, people at risk of and/or who have perpetrated sexual abuse against children. Doctoral thesis, Birmingham City University.
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Cristiana Cardoso PhD Thesis published_Final version_Submitted Aug 2022_Final Award Oct 2023.pdf - Accepted Version Download (1MB) |
Abstract
The aim of this mixed methods research was to understand how the current provision of community-based services in the UK for people who have a sexual attraction to minors, people at risk of committing and/or who have committed sexual abuse against children can be improved. This is essential to enhance the wellbeing of this population and safeguard children. This study's quantitative phase included an online survey of 318 members of the general public, while the qualitative phase consisted in interviewing 20 people who work or have worked with people who are sexually attracted to minors and/or have committed or are at risk of committing sexual offences against children. According to the survey results, the general public supports a programme like the German Dunkelfeld (free, confidential and widely advertised service for people sexually attracted to minors), despite an undecided/slightly negative attitude towards people who commit sexual offences against children. Although, there is some variance in their opinions. In turn, the thematic analysis of the interviews revealed six themes: the level of acceptability of the programme is influenced by the level of knowledge on the topic; various large-scale strategies need to be implemented to ease the public attitudes; Dunkelfeld's confidentiality approach provides unique benefits; all-round responsivity is required; employees must possess a unique set of aptitudes; funding is essential, but this should not fall onto the service users. This research showed that a policy and practise model for programmes in the UK must consider current best practises while also addressing current shortcomings. First, programmes must be widely accepted and advertised in the community, so that people are aware of them and may use/recommend them. Second, they must secure adequate funding to ensure that supply meets demand. Third, Dunkelfeld's approach to confidentiality is a delicate subject that needs to be clarified but can be beneficial. Finally, a sex-positive approach may aid an all-round responsive programme's ability to become normalised and welcoming to diverse clients.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) | ||||||
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| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Sex-positive criminology; positive criminology; paedophilia; Dunkelfeld; teleiophilia; paedophilia; paraphilia; hebephilia; child sexual abuse; prevention; minor; child; people-centred approach; community services; sexual attraction to minors | ||||||
| Subjects: | CAH15 - social sciences > CAH15-01 - sociology, social policy and anthropology > CAH15-01-02 - sociology CAH15 - social sciences > CAH15-01 - sociology, social policy and anthropology > CAH15-01-03 - social policy |
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| Divisions: | Doctoral Research College > Doctoral Theses Collection Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences > Criminology and Sociology |
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| Depositing User: | Jaycie Carter | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 26 Jan 2024 15:01 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 26 Jan 2024 15:01 | ||||||
| URI: | https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15177 |
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