The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction

that some cognitive distortions are frequently agreed with by sex offenders against childrenwhereas others were seldom or never agreed with. Little support was found for earliertypological approaches to the cognitive schema of sex offenders against children. Contrary to theexpectation that contact offenders would have more cognitive distortions, it was found thatInternet offenders had more cognitive distortions that children are sexual beings. Furthermore,there were no differences in cognitive distortions justifying the offence. However, offenders witha previous history of offending were more likely to admit to cognitive distortions which justifytheir offending. It is accepted that cognitive distortions are readily recognized in interviews withsex offenders against children. Nevertheless, it is argued that there is a need for new research tostimulate a new understanding of the nature and role of cognitive distortions in sex offending.Predatory Online Behavior: Modus Operandi of Convicted Sex Offenders in IdentifyingPotential Victims and Contacting Minors Over the Internet.Malesky Jr., L. Alvin.Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 2007, Vol. 16 Issue 2, p23-32, 10p, 1 chart.Abstract: Sex offenders have used the Internet to identify and contact minors for sexualexploitation (Armagh, 1998: Hernandez. 2000; Lamb, 1998; Lanning, 1998). Yet little is knownabout how these individuals select their online victims. In order to gain a better understanding ofthis behavior, the online activity of 31 men who perpetrated or attempted to perpetrate contactsex offenses against minors they communicated with via the Internet, was examined. Threefourthsof the participants monitored chat room dialogue and almost one-half reviewed onlineprofiles of minors in an attempt to identify potential victims. Recommendations to increase theonline safety of children and adolescents are discussed.Current Responses to Sexual Grooming: Implication for Prevention.Craven, Samantha; Brown, Sarah; Gilchrist, Elizabeth.Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 60-71, Feb 2007.Abstract: This article aims to outline current responses to sexual grooming; specific attentionwill be given to new legislation introduced in England and Wales under the Sexual Offences Act2003. Following an outline of this new legislation, consideration will be given to itseffectiveness, including practical difficulties that are likely to restrict its scope. Issues to bediscussed include: poor definition and understanding of sexual grooming, scope of legislation inrelation to non-Internet grooming, difficulties in identifying sexual grooming, and a failure of thenew legislation to be truly preventative. The article concludes by supporting Richard Laws'ssuggestion that the most effective prevention of child sexual abuse would result from adopting apublic health approach. Adapted from the source document.The Evidence Of Harm To Adults Relating To Exposure To Extreme Pornographic Material: ARapid Evidence Assessment.Catherine Itzin, Ann Taket and Liz Kelly.Ministry of Justice, United Kingdom, 2007.Abstract: This document reports on a rapid evidence assessment (REA) of the evidence of harmto adults relating to exposure to extreme pornographic materials. It was conducted for the HomeOffice and Department of Health as part of a programme of research being conducted by theDepartment of Health on the health and mental health effects of prostitution, pornography andF-36