Sexual Crime and the Internet

This book offers a collection of original contributions to the current literature on the role of the internet in understanding contemporary issues in sexual offending. The book explores the theoretical underpinnings of the effect of the internet on the development of sexual deviance, before looking at more applied topics including online sexual offending against children and sextortion. Contemporary topics such as image-based sexual abuse, dating app-facilitated violence, and groups referred to as ‘incels’ are also explored. The book is relevant to psychologists, criminologists, social workers and students, as well as practitioners and the general public.

Chapter 1: The internet and sexual arousal: Development, maintenance, and escalation of sexual offending.- Chapter 2: Child sexual exploitation material: Motivations for use and implications for deterrence, treatment and prevention.- Chapter 3: Blackmail and sextortion.- .- Chapter 4: Image-based sexual abuse.- Chapter 5: When swiping goes wrong: Dating applications, interpersonal aggression, and sexual violence.- Chapter 6: Incels (involuntary celibates): Diagnosing the effects of the black pill; William Costello.

Craig Harper is an Associate Professor in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University, UK. He has a wealth of research experience, focusing on socially contentious topics related to sexuality and social attitudes.

Rebecca Lievesley is an Associate Professor in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University, UK. She has vast experience in conducting criminal justice research, with expertise in sexual crime prevention.

Helen Swaby is a Senior Lecturer in Counselling and Psychological Therapies at Nottingham Trent University, UK. She has a background in forensic psychology and integrative psychotherapy.

Belinda Winder is Head of the Centre for Crime, Offending, Prevention and Engagement at Nottingham Trent University, UK.

Nicholas Blagden is a Professor of Criminological Psychology. He is a Chartered Psychologist and has worked and researched within the criminal justice system and HM Prison Service for many years.

Kerensa Hocken is a registered forensic psychologist with oversight for the assessment and treatment of people in prison for sexual offending in the Midlands region.

Phil Banyard is an Emeritus Professor in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University, UK. He has previously been honoured with the British Psychological Society’s Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology Education.