Abstract

Purpose: Increasing numbers of convictions for the use of Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM) call for enhanced measures to prevent this type of offending. Strength-based approaches such as the Good-Lives-Model have made significant contributions to the management of child sex offenders.
Design/methodology/approach: The present study explored the application of these models on the rehabilitation and desistance behaviour of CSEM users, based on a thematic analysis of the self-managed desistance strategies employed by n = 26 offenders.
Findings: The findings confirmed the value of strength-based approaches in understanding self-management strategies used to enhance desistance behaviour in CSEM users.
Research limitations/implications: The empirical and theoretical findings were then combined into a conceptual framework aimed to enhance preventative efforts and interventions targeted at undetected CSEM users.
Practical implications:
Social implications:
Originality/value: This paper provides the first conceptual and empirical model of prevention and desistance behaviour specific to CSEM offending.