One in ten Australian men have sexually offended against children, a new national study has uncovered, with about half of these men (4.9 per cent) reporting sexual feelings towards children.
The study, released on Monday by UNSW Sydney and Jesuit Social Services, is the first nationally representative piece of research in Australia and looks into the prevalence of child sexual offending behaviours and attitudes among Australian men.
It’s the largest study of its kind ever undertaken globally, and included a representative sample of more than 1,900 Australian men aged 18 to 65.
The study shows that one in six Australian men (15.1 per cent) report that they have sexual feelings towards children.
Of men who said they had sexual feelings towards children and admitted to offending against children, it was more likely compared to other men that they were married, earned higher incomes, and worked with children.
They were also more likely to report depression, anxiety and binge drinking behaviours, as well as having been sexually abused or had adverse experiences in childhood.
These men also tended to be more active online, including on social media, encrypted apps and cryptocurrency, and were more likely to consume pornography that involves violence or bestiality.
“This study brings unprecedented visibility to the numbers of undetected child sex offenders in the Australian community,” the study’s lead investigator, Professor Michael Salter, said.
“This study affirms what countless survivors have said – that the men who abused them were well connected and relatively wealthy, and whose behaviour is secretive and easily overlooked.
“By shining a light on the characteristics of individual perpetrators and the broader social and technological patterns that enable their abuse, it is our hope that this research can be the catalyst for change to ultimately keep children safe.”
According to the research, of the men who have sexual feelings towards children, nearly 30 per cent of them want help for their sexual feelings towards children – this equates to about 4.5% of Australian men.
In light of these significant findings, the report makes a number of recommendations including improving community understandings of the harm of child sexual abuse and challenging social attitudes that support child sexual abuse. It also recommends building safety into online dating sites, as well as early intervention services for men with sexual feelings towards children who have not offended and “undetected offenders” who want support to stop offending.
Georgia Naldrett, Manager of Jesuit Social Services’ Stop it Now! Australia service said the prevalence of abuse revealed in the research is “deeply concerning”.
“Our detailed and evidence-based recommendations call for investment in initiatives that address concerning behaviour before it starts, intervene earlier with boys and men who report troubling thoughts and behaviours, and reduce the reoffending risk of those who have already sexually abused children. Investment in these areas can help keep children safe from harm,” Naldrett said.
The research was funded by Westpac’s “Safer Children, Safer Communities” program.
The 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence is available at 1800RESPECT. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Stop It Now! Australia works with adults concerned about their own, or someone else’s sexual thoughts or behaviours towards children. Call the anonymous helpline on 1800-01-1800 or access resources at www.stopitnow.org.au