The implicit theories of child sexual exploitation material offenders

It has been proposed that sex offenders (i.e., child abusers, rapists, sexual murderers) hold a set of distorted entrenched beliefs about themselves, others, and the world. Termed implicit theories (Ward, 2000), these constructs have been useful for conceptualising the development and treatment of cognitive distortions, as well as the etiology of sexual offending (Ó Ciardha & Gannon, 2011). In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in child sexual exploitation material offenders (CSEMOs), with research indicating they are distinct from contact child abusers (Babchishin, Hanson, & VanZuylen, 2014). Thus, it is hypothesised that CSEMOs will possess their own set of implicit theories that guide their interpretation of intra- and interpersonal information. In this paper, a preliminary conceptualisation of the implicit theories held by CSEMOs will be presented. Drawing upon the empirical and theoretical insights within the literature, it is proposed that CSEMOs hold a set of core implicit theories that are linked to their offending behaviour. The content of these implicit theories will be outlined, as well as their relation to other criminogenic factors. Also, it is proposed that particular implicit theories will be associated with different CSEM subtypes. Practical and research implications will also be discussed.