The overall aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the ReDirection program for individuals with low or medium risk to commit child sexual abuse. Primary question: Is ReDirection a feasible, effective, and safe method in reducing low to medium risk participants' use of CSAM and related behaviors?
The present research project aims to contribute to the further development of accessible, evidence-based and safe care for people with concerns about their sexual interest regarding children, and that are using child sexual abuse material (CSAM), so that these people can access treatment according to their needs and level of risk, with the objective of reducing the risk for child sexual abuse and improving the health of the group. More concretely, we aim to evaluate a revised version of an already available cognitive-behavioral self-help program, ReDirection, with the aim of testing whether this intervention can reduce sexual interest regarding children and CSAM use, in a group of people assessed as being at low or medium risk of committing sexual abuse of children. The intervention will be available in seven languages and will be tested in six countries. Primary research question: Is ReDirection a feasible, effective, and safe method in reducing low to medium risk participants' use of CSAM and related behaviors? Secondary research questions: Is ReDirection effective in reducing research subjects' overall risk of committing sexual acts involving children? Does ReDirection reduce specific dynamic risk factors for committing CSA? ReDirection is based on cognitive behavioral therapy and consists of five modules. The program aims to help participants reduce their CSAM use by gaining a better understanding of, and skills to manage risky sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. At the end of the program, participants are offered an anonymous follow-up chat and if needed during the program, participants can contact a practitioner via chat. Research subjects will be recruited through Darknet and Clearnet. Darknet refers to websites that are accessible via TOR or similar services. The interventions are provided by practitioners and researchers in the relevant countries. ReDirection will be evaluated through an international multicenter study using randomized wait-list controlled design. The research subjects will sign a written consent form on the Iterapi platform without disclosing personal data such as name or location. During the subsequent screening interview via chat or voice call on Iterapi, participation criteria are ensured, questions are answered, and the consent to participate is confirmed. The research subjects are thus admitted to the study. After inclusion, participants answer the baseline survey which consists of validated self-assessment questionnaires with both multiple choice and free-text answers. Weekly during, after the waitlist, and after the therapeutic intervention, research subjects answer questions to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the interventions. A Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) based on pilot study is pre-registered at the OSF platform. The SAP describes sample size calculations, and planned analyses of outcome measures.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
Self help program based on principles for cognitive behavioral therapy
National Institute of Mental Health
Klecany, Czechia
RECRUITINGProtect Children NGO
Helsinki, Finland
RECRUITING[University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Hamburg, Germany
Sexual interest involving children
Measured by Sexual Symptom Assessment Scale (SASS)(0-48 points; higher scores indicate more interest).
Time frame: Pre-intervention, during the intervention, and immediately after the intervention.
Child sexual abuse material usage
Measured with Sexual Child Molestation Risk Assessment (SChiMRA+), part B, item 1 (self-reported time spent last week in hours watching CSAM) including 3 follow up questions (about time/day, severity, and of youngest child).
Time frame: Pre-intervention, during the intervention, and immediately after the intervention.
Other behaviors related to sexual interest in children.
Time spent last week (hours), as self reported on the SChiMRA+ scale part B, item 4.
Time frame: Pre-intervention, during the intervention, and immediately after the intervention.
Depressive symtoms
Scores on the PHQ-9 questionnaire (Patient Health Questionnaire; 0-27 points; higher scores indicate more severe depressive symptoms).
Time frame: Pre-intervention, and immediately after the intervention.
Dynamic risk for committing child sexual abuse
Scores on Acute-2007 (21 items; 0-42 points; higher scores indicate higher dynamic risk for committing child sexual abuse)
Time frame: Pre-intervention, during the intervention,and immediately after the intervention.
Level of hypersexuality
Scores on the HBI-19 questionnaire (Hypersexual Behavior Inventory; 19-95 points; higher scores indicate higher level of sexuality; more than 52 points indicate hypersexuality)
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Bratislava Police Academy
Bratislava, Slovakia
RECRUITINGUniversitat Jaume I
Castelló, Spain
RECRUITINGCentre for psychiatry research, Region Stockholm
Stockholm, Sweden
RECRUITINGTime frame: Pre-intervention, and immediately after the intervention.