title: The characteristics of online sex offenders: a meta-analysis.
abstract: There is much debate as to whether online offenders are a distinct group of sex offenders or if they are simply typical sex offenders using a new technology. A meta-analysis was conducted to examine the extent to which online and offline offenders differ on demographic and psychological variables. Online offenders were more likely to be Caucasian and were slightly younger than offline offenders. In terms of psychological variables, online offenders had greater victim empathy, greater sexual deviancy, and lower impression management than offline offenders. Both online and offline offenders reported greater rates of childhood physical and sexual abuse than the general population. Additionally, online offenders were more likely to be Caucasian, younger, single, and unemployed compared with the general population. Many of the observed differences can be explained by assuming that online offenders, compared with offline offenders, have greater self-control and more psychological barriers to acting on their deviant interests.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. kbabchis@connect.carleton.ca
authors.forename: Kelly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Babchishin
authors.forename: R Karl
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Chantal A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hermann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057237:Criminals / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004882:Erotica; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005201:Fantasy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010378:Pedophilia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult