{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,1]],"date-time":"2026-05-01T02:13:57Z","timestamp":1777601637054,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":62,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]],"date-time":"2026-01-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1768176000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]],"date-time":"2026-01-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1768176000000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["European Journal of Criminology"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Despite a growing body of literature on child sexually abusive materials (CSAM) in Portugal, this investigation is the first to examine the evolution of this form of crime over a decade and create a profile of people who have committed sexual offences in Portugal, specifically collecting demographic characteristics of those who have committed sexual offences, victims\u2019 characteristics, characteristics of the offence and measures applied. This study collected data about 294 people who have committed sexual offences, mostly males (99%) aged between 16 and 77. Most perpetrators (73.5%) reported more than one victim, who tended to be women (80%) and of different ages (84.4%). Regarding the characteristics of the offence, most of them had image files (98.2%) and accessed the content through the Internet (62.2%). Still, there was a minority of people who had committed sexual offences that interacted with the victims in person (15.5%) or tried to establish face-to-face contact using social networks (20.4%). Most people who have committed sexual offences were arrested for only one offence (69.4%), and many subjects had no criminal history prior to the conviction for their current offence. Nevertheless, 6.5% had a previous record for the same type of crime. More than half of the people who have committed sexual offences whose data were collected are awaiting sentences (57.7%). The implications of these findings are discussed, along with important directions for targeted prevention strategies and robust legal frameworks to address CSAM.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/14773708251401444","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]],"date-time":"2026-01-12T18:58:36Z","timestamp":1768244316000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Profile of child sexual abuse material offenders in Portugal: Considerations of a decade (2011\u20132021)"],"prefix":"10.1177","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1204-7557","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mauro","family":"Paulino","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Mind | Institute of Clinical and Forensic Psychology, Centro de Escrit\u00f3rios Panoramic, Portugal"},{"name":"Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Portugal"},{"name":"Psychological Assessment and Psychometrics Laboratory (PsyAssessmentLab), University of Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade Europeia, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Sofia","family":"Gabriel","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mind | Institute of Clinical and Forensic Psychology, Centro de Escrit\u00f3rios Panoramic, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Mariana","family":"Moniz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mind | Institute of Clinical and Forensic Psychology, Centro de Escrit\u00f3rios Panoramic, Portugal"},{"name":"Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Portugal"},{"name":"Psychological Assessment and Psychometrics Laboratory (PsyAssessmentLab), University of Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Laura","family":"Alho","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mind | Institute of Clinical and Forensic Psychology, Centro de Escrit\u00f3rios Panoramic, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Rute","family":"Brites","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University Research Center in Psychology (CUIP), Universidade Aut\u00f3noma de Lisboa, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Andreia Campos","family":"Baptista","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mind | Institute of Clinical and Forensic Psychology, Centro de Escrit\u00f3rios Panoramic, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Tatiana","family":"Marques","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Social and Life Sciences, Coventry University, UK"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_2_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2139\/ssrn.41684"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0886260505276091"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_4_1","first-page":"1","article-title":"Child sexual abuse and the internet\u2014A systematic review","volume":"6","author":"Ali S","year":"2021","unstructured":"Ali S, Haykal HA, Youssef EYM (2021) Child sexual abuse and the internet\u2014A systematic review. Human Arenas 6: 1\u201315. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s42087-021-00228-9.","journal-title":"Human Arenas"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/15228932.2011.588925"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1079063210370708"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-014-0270-x"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.avb.2008.03.007"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.14763\/2015.2.363"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10896-008-9219-y"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_11_1","unstructured":"Brennan S (2012) Component of Statistics Canada catalogue no. 85-002-X Juristat Police-reported crime statistics in Canada 2011. [online] Available at: http:\/\/www.statcan.gc.ca\/pub\/85-002-x\/2012001\/article\/11692-eng.pdf [Accessed 27 Apr. 2023]."},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_3_2_12_1","first-page":"72","article-title":"An exploratory study of internet-initiated sexual offenses and the chat room sex offender: Has the internet enabled a new typology of sex offender? Sexual abuse","volume":"23","author":"Briggs P","year":"2010","unstructured":"Briggs P, Simon WT, Simonsen S (2010) An exploratory study of internet-initiated sexual offenses and the chat room sex offender: Has the internet enabled a new typology of sex offender? Sexual abuse. A Journal of Research and Treatment 23(1): 72\u201391.","journal-title":"A Journal of Research and Treatment"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1375\/pplt.2002.9.1.79"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10586-020-03052-y"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_3_2_15_1","first-page":"7","article-title":"Historical evolutions of cybercrime: From computer crime to cybercrime","volume":"1","author":"Choi K-S","year":"2020","unstructured":"Choi K-S, Lee CS, Louderback ER (2020) Historical evolutions of cybercrime: From computer crime to cybercrime. The Palgrave Handbook of International Cybercrime and Cyberdeviance 1(1): 7\u201343.","journal-title":"The Palgrave Handbook of International Cybercrime and Cyberdeviance"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4324\/9780203890349"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_17_1","volume-title":"Terminology guidelines for the protection of children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse (Luxembourg Guidelines)ECPAT International and Interagency Working Group on Terminology and Semantics","author":"ECPAT International","year":"2016","unstructured":"ECPAT International (2016) Terminology guidelines for the protection of children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse (Luxembourg Guidelines). In: ECPAT International and Interagency Working Group on Terminology and Semantics, https:\/\/ecpat.org\/luxembourg-guidelines\/."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10979-010-9252-2"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1079063208326929"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/lhb0000328"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_21_1","unstructured":"European Parliament (2011) REPORT on the proposal for a directive of the European parliament and of the council on combating the sexual abuse sexual exploitation of children and child pornography repealing framework decision 2004\/68\/JHA. https:\/\/www.europarl.europa.eu\/doceo\/document\/A-7-2011-0294_EN.html."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/9780470977811"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/13552600903454132"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1079063215603690"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/bsl.2337"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_26_1","unstructured":"INHOPE Association (2021) Annual Report 2021. INHOPE Association. https:\/\/inhope.org\/media\/pages\/articles\/annual-reports\/8fd77f3014-1652348841\/inhope-annual-report-2021.pdf."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_27_1","unstructured":"Internet Watch Foundation (2025 July 8) \u201cChild pornography\u201d vs. child sexual abuse material (CSAM): Why language matters. https:\/\/www.iwf.org.uk\/news-media\/blogs\/child-sexual-abuse-material-vs-child-porn-why-language-matters\/."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_28_1","unstructured":"Internet Watch Foundation \u2013 IWF (2023) Reports analysis. https:\/\/www.iwf.org.uk\/annual-report-2023\/trends-and-data\/reports-analysis\/."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.patrec.2009.09.011"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_30_1","unstructured":"Krone T (2004) A typology of online child pornography offending: Trends and Issues in Criminal Justice (Report No. 279). Australian Institute of Criminology. https:\/\/aic.gov.au\/publications\/tandi\/tandi279."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/bsl.2340"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0306624X12465271"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/13552601003760006"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_34_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/13552600.2014.927009"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_35_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1079063216641109"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_36_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/1068316X.2011.598158"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_37_1","first-page":"34","article-title":"Characteristics of internet sexual offenders: A review","volume":"2","author":"Merdian HL","year":"2009","unstructured":"Merdian HL, Wilson N, Boer DP (2009) Characteristics of internet sexual offenders: A review. Sexual Abuse in Australia and New Zealand 2: 34\u201347.","journal-title":"Sexual Abuse in Australia and New Zealand"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_38_1","article-title":"Federal prosecutions for child sex exploitation offenders [Data file]","author":"Motivans M","year":"2007","unstructured":"Motivans M, Kyckelhahn T (2007) Federal prosecutions for child sex exploitation offenders [Data file]. Bureau of Justice Statistics. https:\/\/bjs.ojp.gov\/content\/pub\/pdf\/fpcseo06.pdf.","journal-title":"Bureau of Justice Statistics"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_39_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/107906320701900305"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_40_1","first-page":"65","volume-title":"Relapse Prevention with sex Offenders","author":"O\u2019Connell R","year":"2001","unstructured":"O\u2019Connell R (2001) Paedophiles networking on the internet. In: Laws DR (ed) Relapse Prevention with sex Offenders. New York, NY: Guilford Press, 65\u201380."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_41_1","first-page":"190","article-title":"Child pornography and the internet: A statistical review","volume":"59","author":"O\u2019 Connor C","year":"2005","unstructured":"O\u2019 Connor C (2005) Child pornography and the internet: A statistical review. Australian Police Journal 59: 190\u2013199.","journal-title":"Australian Police Journal"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_42_1","article-title":"Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2021, March 18)","author":"Office for national statistics","year":"2021","unstructured":"Office for national statistics 2021 Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2021, March 18). Sexual Offences Victim Characteristics, England and Wales: Year Ending March 2020. ONS. Available at: https:\/\/www.ons.gov.uk\/peoplepopulationandcommunity\/crimeandjustice\/articles\/sexualoffencesvictimcharacteristicsenglandandwales\/march2020.","journal-title":"Sexual Offences Victim Characteristics, England and Wales: Year Ending March 2020"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_43_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/43116"},{"issue":"5","key":"e_1_3_2_44_1","first-page":"555","article-title":"Child pornography in the XXI century: Brief considerations about victims and offenders","volume":"14","author":"Paulino M","year":"2020","unstructured":"Paulino M, Gabriel S, Alho L, et al. (2020) Child pornography in the XXI century: Brief considerations about victims and offenders. Journal of Forensic Sciences & Criminal Investigation 14(5): 555\u2013899.","journal-title":"Journal of Forensic Sciences & Criminal Investigation"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_45_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.18788\/2237-1451\/rle.v1n2p257-275"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_3_2_46_1","first-page":"57","article-title":"Using internet artifacts to profile a child pornography suspect","volume":"9","author":"Rogers M","year":"2014","unstructured":"Rogers M, Seigfried-Spellar K (2014) Using internet artifacts to profile a child pornography suspect. Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law 9(1): 57\u201366.","journal-title":"Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_47_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/1556-4029.14820"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_48_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/14191-000"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_49_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/0021-843X.115.3.610"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_50_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/lhb0000128"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_51_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1079063211399295"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_52_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1079063210369013"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_53_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/13552600903572396"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_54_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/h0093925"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_55_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/13218719.2022.2148305"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_56_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/1478601X.2018.1492389"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_57_1","first-page":"69","volume-title":"Child Sexual Abuse and the Internet: Tackling the New Frontier","author":"Sullivan J","year":"2003","unstructured":"Sullivan J, Beech A (2003) Assessing internet sex offenders. In: Calder MC (ed) Child Sexual Abuse and the Internet: Tackling the New Frontier. Lyme Regis, UK: Russell House Publishing, 69\u201384."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_58_1","volume-title":"Child Pornography: An Internet Crime","author":"Taylor M","year":"2003","unstructured":"Taylor M, Quayle E (2003) Child Pornography: An Internet Crime. New York, NY: Brunner Routledge."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_59_1","unstructured":"United Nations Children\u2019s Fund (UNICEF) (2021) Ending online child sexual exploitation and abuse lessons learned and promising practices in low- and middle-income countries. UNICEF. https:\/\/www.unicef.org\/documents\/ending-online-child-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_60_1","unstructured":"United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2022) Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2022. Available at: https:\/\/www.unodc.org\/documents\/data-and-analysis\/glotip\/2022\/GLOTiP_2022_web.pdf."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_61_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/a0025516"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_62_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/15614260701377729"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_63_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1163\/15718182-29030010"}],"container-title":["European Journal of Criminology"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/14773708251401444","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/14773708251401444","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/14773708251401444","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,28]],"date-time":"2026-04-28T20:56:09Z","timestamp":1777409769000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/14773708251401444"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]]},"references-count":62,"alternative-id":["10.1177\/14773708251401444"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/14773708251401444","relation":{},"ISSN":["1477-3708","1741-2609"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1477-3708","type":"print"},{"value":"1741-2609","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]]},"article-number":"14773708251401444"}}