‘The children are victims, they are not in any way an extension of the crime’: caregiver perceptions about the experiences of children whose father downloaded child sexual abuse material (CSAM)

Sexual crime represents one of the most vilified and stigmatised crimes. As a result, there are repercussions for non-offending family members, including children, due to their kin relationship with the offender. This evidence-based report, including analysis of new empirical findings from a larger qualitative research study with adult family members of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) offenders, contributes to the limited knowledge about the experiences of children of CSAM offenders. Specifically, the data signals to children’s experiences of trauma and secondary stigma emanating from their father’s behaviour, and their interactions with members of their community and statutory services. The available evidence supports the need to recognise that children of men who downloaded CSAM need to be awarded ‘victim status’ and receive appropriate support. The clinical and policy implications of these findings are discussed therein.