Events

Pedophilia and CSEM Offenses: Etiological and Typological Considerations

Presented by Sonja Krstic, PhD

Friday, June 5, 2026 @ 9am – 12:30pm

*** Virtual Training – Zoom will open at 8:30am for networking. Training begins at 9am ***

3 Psychology CEs Available

Recent research has demonstrated that pedophilia is a taxon (i.e., a distinct category, such that one is either a pedophile or not a pedophile), but that not all individuals who commit sexual crimes against children are pedophiles. A growing body of literature has focused on identifying meaningful differences between individuals convicted solely of non-contact child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offenses and those convicted of contact or mixed (contact + CSEM) offenses. It is important, both theoretically and clinically, to identify characteristics that differentiate these two groups.

One candidate marker for essential pedophilia is Knight’s fixated-low social competence type, derived from the fourth version of the Massachusetts Treatment Center Child Molester typology (MTC: CM4; Knight & King, 2012). In a sample of men convicted of sexual offenses against children (CSOs), we recently found that this type showed more neurodevelopmental symptoms compared to other CSOs and those with adult victims only. Additionally, we found that a history of sexual abuse is an important predictor of pedophilic interest and behavior, above and beyond any neurodevelopmental risk factors in our study, and that neurodevelopmental symptoms and a history of sexual abuse are not independent in their influence. Our recent study also examined whether individuals convicted of CSEM offenses differ across a set of etiologically relevant variables previously linked to sexual offending. The goal of the current talk is to integrate these findings and discuss our current understanding of the distinguishing characteristics of pedophilic CSOs and individuals convicted of CSEM offenses.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, attendees should be better able to:

1. Identify the differentiating characteristics of those who sexually offend exclusively against children.
2. Understand the role of neurodevelopmental and environmental correlates of pedophilia.
3. Understand the practical importance of differentiating pedophilic from other CSOs.
4. Understand the distinguishing characteristics of CSEM offending.

Sonja Krstic, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Endicott College. Her research focuses on psychopathy and sexual aggression, their relationship and etiology, including the associations of childhood maltreatment and psychopathic traits, variants of psychopathy and their distinct links to sexual offending, and the impact of psychopathy on risk assessment and recidivism. Recent work examines trait constellations that differentiate individuals who offend against children. She has worked with the MIDSA since 2010 and serves as co-chair of ATSA’s research committee and on MATSA’s executive board.

Registration is required:

– Members: $0

– Non-members: $5

– Members with 3 Psychology CEs: $20

– Non-members with 3 Psychology CEs: $50

*** Registration closes on Thursday, 6/4/26 at 12pm.   Zoom link will be emailed Thursday evening  ***

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