Dear Hieronymus,

I don't know exactly what a precis is (I am guessing a summary). The thesis is set up in a slightly different way (as it is not published) but I will put my conclusion here. I must say though, that reading the discussion and the limitations will make it more cohesive, but that is in total about 10 pages and I think that is a bit much. The lay out on here is not so pretty, so it is a bit of a blob of text, sorry for that.

Frederica

CONCLUSION

This study was set up to explore the opinions of individuals with pedophilic interests about the satisfying possibilities of legal virtual child pornography. The currently existing literature is inconclusive about several vital questions with regards to child pornography and its subsequent effects on behaviour. This study sought to contribute to this literature by doing an exploratory study on the opinions of those individuals that could experience the possible effects of watching virtual child pornography: individuals with pedophilic interests.

The research was conducted via an anonymous questionnaire on a Tor website. The results of the multiple-choice and open questions were analysed in a qualitative way. The choice of conducting the questionnaire on Tor had two consequences: while it caused the research not to know anything about the participants with certainty, it also ensured that the identity of the participants could not be traced back. Future research should take into account that hidden groups on the Internet will be familiar with problems of Internet anonymity, and will be hesitant to fill in questionnaires that do not take appropriate safety measures. Endangering the identities of the participating individuals is something that should be avoided in all cases, and more concern should be shown for the safety of the participants when conducting online questionnaires.

This study has identified that a majority of the participants think that virtual child pornography would be a satisfying alternative for real child pornography, would not have any dangerous consequences and would not increase sexual offending against children. The findings indicate that this sample has much in common with convicted child pornography offenders. Child pornography offenders have very little crossover to sexual offending against children: as the findings of this study suggest, many participants of this study also thought that sexual offenders against children are a different type of offender than child pornography offenders. Next to that, many indicated that they thought there is no link between pornography and behaviour, and that if there would be a link, it would only decrease offending, and definitely not increase it. A majority indicated that they thought that virtual child pornography would provide a satisfying elevation from built up sexual frustration.

The leading opinion that child pornography leads to offending behaviour is not sufficiently substantiated in the scientific literature. It is based on arguments of morality, not on scientific proof. This study suggests that the opposite might be true: the individuals in this study that are attracted to children actually feel very positive about legalizing virtual child pornography, not only for their own satisfaction and safety, but also for the wellbeing and safety of children. The participants indicate that they think that availability of high quality virtual child pornography would decrease sexual offending against children, not increase it. Whether this is true or not should be tested extensively. However, at this moment children are continuously abused and harmed in the production of child pornography. If virtual child pornography would be legal, and incentives to produce it would be present, it could offer a form of satisfying pornography that would not hurt children in the production of it. If it is deemed too dangerous to completely legalize virtual child pornography that looks realistic, at least incentives to conduct experimental research on its effects should be set up, either in therapy or clinical settings, with the possibility for legalization if positive results are obtained.

While many ethical concerns arise against experimental research on its effects, if there is a possibility that virtual child pornography would provide individuals a safe and satisfactory way to elevate sexual tension, it should be researched. If it namely proves to be the case, it would have major consequences: for those that experience these pedophilic interests, it would bring them a way to legally be able to enjoy their sexual preferences, without grave judicial consequences, thereby improving the lives of those that might struggle with these pedophilic interests. Most importantly however, it would decrease sexual abuse against children: next to a possible decrease in direct contact offenses as there is a way to release sexual frustration, there is a plausible chance that with an increase of virtual child pornography production, many children will no longer be abused as a part of the market for real child pornography will disappear.