Exploring British public attitudes and perceptions of the Prevention Project Dunkelfeld

Purpose This study aims to investigate contemporary public attitudes towards individuals who committed sexual offences against minors, as well as their views on a community-based support service, based on the German Prevention Project Dunkelfeld. Design/methodology/approach Through an online survey of 318 members of the UK general public, the research explored three areas: (1) attitudes towards people who committed sexual offences, measured using the Attitudes Towards Sexual Offenders (ATS-21) scale; (2) public opinion on the key features of the Prevention Project Dunkelfeld, a confidential and widely advertised service for individuals with paedophilic interests; and (3) the extent to which public attitudes may influence the provision of such programmes in the UK. Findings Despite an overall undecided or slightly negative attitude towards individuals who commit sexual offences against children, the survey findings revealed that the public supports programmes similar to the Prevention Project Dunkelfeld. This suggests a recognition of the importance of preventative and rehabilitative measures in addressing child sexual abuse and providing support services for people with a sexual attraction to minors. Practical implications This article aims to inform the development and implementation of prevention strategies and community-based support services for individuals with sexual attraction to minors and those at risk or convicted of child sexual abuse offences, taking into account public perceptions and attitudes. The goal is to help policymakers and practitioners in designing community-based services that align with societal perspectives while promoting effective prevention and rehabilitation efforts. This article highlights public attittudes as potential opportunities and challenges that may need to be addressed for a successful implementation and acceptance of community-based support services, such as the Prevention Project Dunkelfeld. Originality/value The study contributes to developing evidence-based strategies for prevention and desistance of sexual crimes against minors as well as providing clinical and support services for people who are sexually attracted to minors to achieve a desired and legal level of sexual and partnership contentedness. By gauging public perceptions, this research provides valuable insights to policymakers and practitioners, enabling them to design and implement community-based services aligning with societal perspectives and promoting effective services.