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This research examines how professionals address pornography use when assessing harmful sexual behaviour in children.

May 18, 2026Open Access

Examining the extent professionals explore pornography use in cases of harmful sexual behaviour: A retrospective case file analysis

Key Points

This research examines how professionals address pornography use when assessing harmful sexual behaviour in children.
Retrospective case file analysis at a Sexual Assault Referral Centre in England
Reviewed 182 records from various agencies over four months in 2021
Applied coding for references to pornography and harmful sexual behaviours, using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis
Pornography was recorded in only 16% of cases, usually disclosed by children rather than professionals
About one-third of cases involved behaviours reflecting extreme acts commonly shown in pornography
Professional responses favored criminal justice measures over addressing underlying pornography influences, particularly for children who harmed.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Children and young people's exposure to pornography is increasingly recognised as a potential driver of harmful sexual behaviour. Despite widespread access to violent and extreme online content, little is known about how professionals explore exposure to pornography when working with children referred for harmful sexual behaviour. The primary question this study explored was the potential relationship between easily available online adult pornography and harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), this paper focuses on what was found regarding agency responses and the extent to which pornography is considered in professional assessments and interventions when seeking to understand what might have influenced a child to engage in harmful sexual behaviour. METHOD: A retrospective case file analysis was conducted at a regional Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in England. Records from the SARC, Children's Social Care (CSC) and Police were reviewed across a four-month period in 2021 (N = 182). A deeper analysis was possible in one Local Authority (n = 87). Case file data was coded for references to pornography and for harmful sexual behaviours reflecting pornographic content. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were applied. FINDINGS: Pornography was explicitly recorded in only 16% of cases, almost always disclosed by children rather than raised by professionals. Around one third of cases included behaviours and extreme violent acts commonly depicted in pornography, including choking, slapping, name-calling, anal penetration, and use of objects. Professional responses tended to prioritise criminal justice approaches for children who harmed, while more often "healthy relationship" work was offered to those who were harmed, even though they had reported the assaults. The findings also highlighted overlaps between HSB and coercive or degrading behaviours typical of intimate partner abuse. CONCLUSION: Professionals rarely enquire about pornography use, missing opportunities for prevention and tailored intervention. Training, improved data recording, and policy recognition of pornography as a safeguarding and public health issue are urgently required.

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