Measuring the Preference of Image Content for Self-reported Consumers of Child Pornography

Abstract

Research has begun to critically analyze the types of images collected by child pornography consumers. However, the collections of child pornography consumers may not necessarily be representative of their preferences. In addition, a literature review of the available scales or measurements, which assessed pornography preference, yielded scarce results regarding images of child sexual victimization. First, this paper will review some of the empirical literature on the various types of images collected by child pornography consumers. Next, this author will discuss the development of the Child Pornography Image Preference Scale (CPIPS), a self-report measure of child pornography image preference. Finally, the results of a preliminary test of the CPIPS will be discussed along with the study’s limitations. Overall, by introducing this scale to the academic and law enforcement community, further validation through empirical testing may be achieved for the Child Pornography Image Preference Scale (CPIPS).