Citation

DeLong R, Durkin K, Hundersmarck S. J. Sex. Aggress. 2010; 16(1): 59-70.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13552600903428235

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The use of the internet by individuals who are sexually interested in children is considered a major problem which has received a tremendous amount of attention in recent years from the media, general public and law enforcement. However, there has been relatively little research on the so-called "travellers", men who attempt to solicit children online to eventually meet in person for sexual purposes. This exploratory study will address the types of cognitive distortions possessed by a sample (n=18) of men who were arrested for attempting to solicit sex from minors online. These arrests were part of proactive investigations where law enforcement personnel and associates pose as a minor online to identify men who are soliciting sex from children. The results indicate the presence of three types of cognitive distortions in these subjects--refutation, minimization and justifications/rationalizations. The majority of subjects offered justifications/rationalizations, and sought to minimize their behaviour. Implications for mental health professionals and law enforcement are discussed, and suggestions for future research are presented.