[Resource] Characteristics that predict exposure to and subsequent intentional viewing of child sexual abuse material among a community sample of Internet users

This research paper by Australian Institute of Criminology included respondents residing in Aotearoa, and found that “of respondents who were first exposed to CSAM by accident, 44% went on to view it again intentionally”.

It concludes that there are strong implications for preventing first exposure to child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

This reaffirms the importance of efforts to report and take down CSAM, which is becoming easier to access online due to the use of AI and chat groups, and which has long-reaching impacts on its victims.

Characteristics that predict exposure to and subsequent intentional viewing of child sexual abuse material among a community sample of Internet users was published by Child Abuse & Neglect, Volume 156, October 2024