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Research Article: Healthcare Mapping of Institutional and Self-Referral Face-to-Face Treatment Services for Individuals at Risk of Committing Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

Healthcare Mapping of Institutional and Self-Referral Face-to-Face Treatment Services for Individuals at Risk of Committing Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in Germany, the Czech Republic, Finland, Spain, Slovakia, and Sweden

Tarik Korkutan, Lisann Högström, Rafael Ballester-Arnal, Kateřina Klapilová, Jozef Meteňko, Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen, Maria Breide, Michal Chovanec, Sophie Dixelius, Marcel Elipe-Miravet, Johan Holmberg, Tegan Insoll, Dominik Jozefík, Lucie Kalenská, Katariina Leivo, Marianne Mäenpää, Anna Ovaska, Sabine Prantner, Martina Žovincová, Christoffer Rahm, Arne Dekker & Peer Briken

International Journal of Sexual Health





Abstract


Objectives Preventing child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) is a key EU priority. Knowledge on prevention pathways and face-to-face (F2F) treatment services for at-risk individuals is limited. This study maps the availability and distribution of institutional, self-referral F2F services in six EU countries participating in Project Bridge, an EU-funded initiative connecting individuals with sexual interest in children at risk of committing CSAE to preventive care, to identify gaps and inform prevention strategies.


Methods From November 2023 to July 2024, institutions in Germany, the Czech Republic, Finland, Spain, Slovakia and Sweden were identified via literature and consortium contacts. Eligible institutions offered (a) a specialized offer for F2F treatment, (b) accepted self-referrals (non-mandated), and (c) operated in these six Project Bridge countries.


Results The survey was distributed to 36 institutions; 22 responses (61.1%) were analyzed after data validation. Germany (n = 13) mainly offered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and sexual medicine, covered by statutory health insurance. The Czech Republic (n = 4) had full health insurance coverage for non-anonymous treatment, primarily employing psychologists and sexologists. Finland (n = 2) represented sexologists and trauma therapists. Spain (n = 2) provided client-funded services, mainly offering CBT and sex therapy. Sweden (n = 1) reported a broad range of therapeutic and medical services. No services were identified in Slovakia at that time.


Conclusion Overall, CBT was the most common treatment approach, with individual therapy predominating among all services. The lack of pharmacological treatment in Finland and Spain may be due to the absence of medical doctors within the identified institutions. Limitations include selection bias, incomplete data, and language barriers. Structural and legal differences hinder comparability. Future research should focus on an EU-wide comparison, broader institutional participation, and identifying as well as reducing barriers within treatment pathways. The findings highlight gaps in service availability and the need for improved coordination to strengthen CSAE prevention on a European level.



Suggested Citation: Korkutan, T., Högström, L., Ballester-Arnal, R., Klapilová, K., Meteňko, J., Vaaranen-Valkonen, N., … Briken, P. (2026). Healthcare Mapping of Institutional and Self-Referral Face-to-Face Treatment Services for Individuals at Risk of Committing Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in Germany, the Czech Republic, Finland, Spain, Slovakia, and Sweden. International Journal of Sexual Health, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2026.2691161


 
 
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