Kimberly J. Mitchell

The current study aims to examine the sexual posttraumatic stress symptoms (sexual PTSS) among investigators of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Previous findings indicated that sexual PTSS has a unique impact on mental health and well-being compared with traditional PTSS, highlighting a gap in the literature on how exposure to CSAM affects investigators, including their sexual lives. This study sought to fill this gap by examining the sexual PTSS of CSAM investigators. The sample included 500 participants (61% male and 37.4% female) who were police investigators, forensic examiners, and others connected with the criminal justice system across the USA. Participants answered questions about their CSAM exposure and mental health (depression, anxiety, PTSS, and sexual PTSS). The study found that the content of CSAM, mental health symptomatology, being a female investigator, and live streaming of CSAM were associated with increased sexual PTSS. The results suggest that viewing CSAM may affect the sexual response of some investigators and that certain aspects of the job may increase the risk of sexual PTSS. The study highlights the need for wellness programs to provide support related to the possible effects of CSAM on investigators’ sexual response.

Tactics used to perpetrate sexual violence may be crucial to understanding when and why sexual violence occurs. Moreover, most sexual violence occurs between people who know each other—including in the context of dating or sexual relationships. Little is known about the context of sexual violence that occurs with non-romantic partners. To address these research gaps, we examined online survey data from 786 young adults (weighted n = 763) aged 19 to 27 years, living across the United States. Findings suggest that 60% of sexual assault, 40% of attempted rape, 42% of rape, and 67% of coercive sex were perpetrated against a romantic partner, defined as a current or ex-boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, or domestic partner. Contextual differences were noted by relationship type: Those who perpetrated against romantic partners were more likely than those who targeted non-romantic partners to report that it occurred because they were feeling sad or angry. They were also more likely to say that the other person was completely responsible for what happened. Conversely, those who aggressed against non-romantic partners were more likely to say that someone else found out about what happened. Making the other person feel guilty was the most common tactic for both groups. The most frequently endorsed reason for perpetrating sexual violence was “feeling really horny,” although feeling “good” or being drunk/high were also common reasons noted by aggressors. Afterward, many said they felt guilty or ashamed and were worried about the other person’s feelings. Fear of getting caught was universally absent. Findings support the importance of building emotion regulation and emotional awareness skills in sexual violence prevention programming. Prevention programs should also discuss coercion as a violence tactic, since perpetrators may not always recognize this to be sexual violence. More generally, violence prevention programs should also address healthy relationships, consent, and taking responsibility.