Abstract
Background: The majority of studies investigating child pornography have focused on conceptualizing the problem and the harm of the crime, evaluating the risk for child pornography offending, or discuss preventive measures. Little is known about survivors of this type of crime. Objective: This research explores the relationship between child pornography victimization and psychopathology in adulthood. Specifically, we examined the contribution of emotional reactions at the time of the crime and shortly after (guilt, embarrassment and avoidance) on psychopathology among adult survivors of child pornography. Participants and setting: The study was conducted among 107 child pornography adult survivors, aged 18–63 (M = 39.48, SD = 12.31). All participants were sexually molested during the crime. Methods: An online survey was completed by a convenience sample of adult survivors of child pornography. Results: Findings indicate survivor's current age predicted current psychopathology symptoms. Survivor's emotional reactions of guilt and embarrassment at the time of the crime and shortly after were significantly associated with elevated psychopathology, above and beyond demographic characteristics and features of the crime. Conclusions: The present results suggest the way survivors of child pornography react to the crime might shape their mental health in the long term.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 104189 |
| Journal | Child Abuse and Neglect |
| Volume | 98 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2019 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2019
Funding
We are grateful for the courage and candor of the survivors who participated in this research. The study was funded by the Office of Victims of Crime, Department of Justice, under a grant awarded to the National Center for Victims of Crime, which subcontracted with the Crimes against Children Research Center to conduct the data collection. The National Children's Alliance and an Advisory board of experts assisted. We are grateful for the courage and candor of the survivors who participated in this research. The study was funded by the Office of Victims of Crime, Department of Justice , under a grant awarded to the National Center for Victims of Crime, which subcontracted with the Crimes against Children Research Center to conduct the data collection. The National Children’s Alliance and an Advisory board of experts assisted.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| National Children's Alliance | |
| U.S. Department of Justice | |
| Office for Victims of Crime |
Keywords
- Avoidance
- Child pornography
- Embarrassment
- Guilt
- Psychopathology
