By Kasia Uzieblo &
David Prescott
Note: This blog is broken
into two sections. This post is part 2, with part 1 having appeared previously.
Kieran
In the last blog we argued that an increase of sexualized
coping might be one of the knock-on effects of the current pandemic chaos. Another question that might arise is whether an increase in
pornography use predicts an increase in sexual offending behavior? There seems
to be no robust empirical findings to substantiate this assumed relation. A
recent review by Mellor and Duff (2019) indicates that no consistent
relationship exists between early exposure to pornography and sexual offending,
and between exposure to pornography and offending shortly after exposure in
males. Hence, the common assumption that behaviors being observed in
pornography elicits sexual offending behavior seems to lack robust empirical
evidence to the present. However, individual differences can still occur: the
use of pornography during an offence is more common among people who sexually
abuse children compared to those who abuse adults, and there appears to be a
link between recidivism and pornography use in high risk offenders.
A third issue that is not depicted in
the Pornhub statistiscs (but is nonetheless a major reason for concern) is the
increase of online searches for child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) since
the start of the crisis as observed by Europol. This rise doesn’t imply that there are
suddenly more people with pedophilic interests. It might, however, indicate
that there are people having trouble coping with current stressors which might
motivate them to explore illegal online material. A recent study by Knack,
Holmes, and Federoff (2020) found that people experiencing sexual frustration,
certain sexual interests, and poor coping strategies in response to negative
affect resulting from loneliness, boredom and stress motivate the use of CSEM.
Schulz, Bergen,
Schuhmann, and Hoyer (2017) also identified social anxiety, loneliness and
problematic internet use as motivators for using the internet to solicit with
minors. Hence, several similar mechanisms that underlie excessive pornography
use, might also be of relevance here.
A final question comes to mind. Could
there be an evolutionary component to the increase in pornography use during
crises? Perhaps with the potential for loss of life, people experience a
biologically based urge for procreation beyond their awareness – one aimed at
helping our species to survive. Of course, in the absence of empirical study,
this is simply conjecture, but it points to the idea that many forces may be at
play in the current crisis.
Taken together, these increased numbers
of pornography use are not worrisome in themselves. Many people now have more
time to satisfy their curiosity by exploring new sexual content online. For
others it may serve as an adaptive way to cope with stressors and sexual
desire. In order to best prevent sexual violence, professionals can be aware
that the current worldwide lockdown measures together with related job, family,
and other stressors can also increase a problematic use of online pornography
in people who feel distressed, anxious, lonely, powerless, and who lack
adaptive coping behaviors.
The current situation poses a serious
challenge to practitioners. How can we identify, reach out, and help people who
are vulnerable to developing maladaptive coping behaviors? How can we provide
online and/or offline help and assistance in coping with distress related to
the Coronavirus crisis? It is certainly a time in which everybody, including
practitioners, should be vigilant for signs of problematic coping behaviors,
including excessive pornography use and the use of CSEM. It’s also a time in
which prevention programs as Stop it Now! should receive more attention in practice,
media and on relevant websites. The most important thing is to let people know
that help is out there, even in these unseen, harsh times we are currently in.
Knack, N., Holmes, D., & Fedoroff, J. P.
(2020). Motivational pathways underlying the onset and maintenance of viewing
child pornography on the Internet. Behavioral Sciences and the Law,
1–17. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsl.2450
Mellor, E., & Duff, S. (2019). The use of
pornography and the relationship between pornography exposure and sexual
offending in males: A systematic review. Aggression and Violent Behavior,
46, 116–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2019.02.003
Schulz,
A., Bergen, E., Schuhmann, P., & Hoyer, J. (2017). Social Anxiety and Loneliness in Adults who Solicit
Minors Online. Sexual Abuse: Journal of Research and Treatment, 29(6), 519-540. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063215612440
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