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The phenomenon of child pornography
of paedosexual delinquency by the WODC that the perpetrator was a complete stranger to the victim in
less than 10% of all cases (642 committed paedosexual offences). In more than a third 273 of paedosexual
offences that were committed, the perpetrator was a (step/foster) parent of the victim. 274 , 275 In addition,
individuals (other than parents) who are entrusted with the care of the child account for a large group of
perpetrators. 276 Perpetrators who met their victim online are also known to one another, due to the fact
that mere virtual contact created a relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. 277
Problematic Internet use
There may be a relationship between the viewing of child abuse material and problematic Internet use.
Some individuals use the Internet in order to avoid negative emotions, such as boredom, anxiety and
depression. There are indications that this problematic Internet use can manifest itself in viewing abusive
material and/or engaging in online grooming. 278 Taylor and Quayle have developed a ‘model of
problematic Internet use’. 279 This model supposes that various processes (such as gaining skills in using
the Internet), cognitive-social factors (increased sexual arousal, few offline contacts) and problematic
cognitive processes (sexual interest in children, low confidence) contribute towards problematic Internet
use and this in turn forms a contributing factor in reinforcing the aforementioned aspects (a
so-called escalation process).
Modus operandi
In sections §1.4.1.2 and §1.4.1.3 it becomes apparent that child abuse material is produced, distributed
and viewed using various technological means and for a variety of reasons. Perpetrators go through different
steps in order to obtain material 280 and this may take place in open and closed internet environments.
The difference lies in the accessibility of these environments. Offenders can take the security measures
listed in §1.4.1.2 in both open and closed internet environments in order to avoid discovery by investigative
authorities, such as using a proxy server. 281 First of all (potential) perpetrators must be motivated to
273 Specifically 35.5%.
274 Specifically 9.3%. The perpetrators of other paedosexual offences that were committed who were
known to the victims concerned: other family members (24%), friends/acquaintances (12%), co-residents
in an asylum seekers’ residence centre (9.3%), neighbours (4.8%), child-minders (4.1%), carers
(1%) (Leuw et al., 2004, p.83)
275 Leuw et al., 2004.
276 For example, a child-minder, twice or thrice-removed family members (Lanning, 2010, p.5). It has also
been the case that staff within an institutional context such as crèches or day nurseries sexually abuse
children. In 2010, the Samson Committee began conducting an independent study of sexual abuse of
minors who have been placed under the responsibility of the government in institutions or with foster
families (period 1945-present). See www.onderzoek-seksueel-kindermisbruik.nl/meldpunt/ (viewed
6 September 2011) for public reports from the Committee that have been published to date, see also
§3.2.4.
277 Quayle & Taylor, 2001.
278 Davidson & Gottschalk, 2011, p.43.
279 Taylor & Quayle, 2003, p.154-188.
280 Leukfeldt et al., 2009, Taylor & Quayle, 2006, pp.174-192.
281 A proxy server makes it possible to access the internet without a user’s own IP address being visible on
the internet (KLPD – <strong>National</strong> Crime Squad, 2010, p.206).
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