Peer-reviewed article
A Feasibility Study of a Canadian Child Sexual Abuse Perpetration Prevention Program.
Stephens S, McPhail IV, Heasman A, Gerritsen C, Moss S et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study evaluates the feasibility of Talking for Change, a Canadian prevention program for adults at risk of committing child sexual abuse. Researchers tracked 162 referrals and assessed 40 program participants, examining their characteristics, mental health profiles, and satisfaction with the therapy. The program successfully recruited clients and operated in a mandatory reporting environment, though participants noted both benefits like increased accountability and challenges like a one-size-fits-all approach. The study found that prevention programs targeting perpetration risk are feasible to deliver in Canada's legal and policy context.
Key points
- 162 distinct individuals were referred to the program with increasing annual referrals
- 40 participants assessed had paraphilic interests and sexual self-regulation problems, along with several protective factors including empathy
- High comorbidity with mental health problems was common, and many participants had prior child sexual abuse material (CSEM) use
- Program satisfaction themes included value of group acceptance and accountability, but also challenges with standardized delivery approaches
- OCSEA perpetration prevention programs were demonstrated to be feasible in mandatory reporting jurisdictions
Limitations
The study does not measure whether the program actually reduces perpetration or reoffending rates; it only assesses feasibility, client recruitment, and satisfaction. No comparison or control group is mentioned, so it cannot demonstrate effectiveness compared to standard practice.
Abstract
Online or other child sexual exploitation or abuse (OCSEA) perpetration prevention programs are designed to provide services to individuals prior to offending. There is limited research on OCSEA perpetration prevention programs in jurisdictions with mandatory reporting. The present study is a mixed-method feasibility evaluation of the OCSEA perpetration prevention therapy program, Talking for Change (TFC). The feasibility study broadly addressed whether adult clients could be recruited to the program, the clinical profile of clients, and their satisfaction with the program. In total, there were 162 distinct individuals referred with the number of referrals increasing on an annual basis. Clients in the evaluation (n = 40) presented with risk relevant factors related to paraphilic interests and sexual self regulation problems with interpersonal challenges as well as several protective factors (e.g., empathy). The population had a high level of comorbid mental health problems, and many had engaged in prior CSEM use. Program satisfaction interviews resulted in five themes that highlighted the value of the group (e.g., promoting acceptance and accountability) and challenges (e.g., problems with a one size fits all approach). The results indicated that OCSEA perpetration prevention programs are feasible in mandatory reporting jurisdictions. Implications for program delivery are discussed.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Talking for Change (TFC), a group-based perpetration prevention therapy program delivered to adults prior to offending
- Population
- 40 adults referred to the program with risk factors for child sexual abuse, including paraphilic interests and sexual self-regulation problems
Key finding
162 individuals were referred with increasing annual referral rates, demonstrating recruitment feasibility
S et al. · Europe PMC · 18 Jun 2026