Draft:Troubled Desire

Troubled Desire is a website that offers free and anonymous help for people who are concerned about their sexual attraction to children. The website is run by the Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine at Charité - University Medicine Berlin.

Fundamentals
Troubled Desire closes a gap in the provision of preventative services for people who are at risk of committing sexual assault against children. It provides individuals with a sexual interest in pre-adolescent and early adolescent children (i.e. individuals with pedophilic or hebephilic sexual interest) the opportunity to use a self-assessment and self-management training modules. The service is designed to help these individuals strengthen safety, well-being and healthy behaviors to protect minors and avoid the consumption of problematic media. The internet-based self-management program was developed in response to the large number of inquiries and a special cooperation between the Charité's Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine and a network of therapists in India, where it is mandatory for therapists to report sexual abuse that has already been committed. The offer has been available since October 25, 2017. This anonymous, free service is equipped with special security standards.

Online self-help
The self-help modules offer comprehensive information and interventions on various aspects of sexuality. They shed light on the sexual preference structure and provide insights into the diversity of sexual preferences. In particular, healthy sexual behavior is addressed by discussing the concept of mutual consent and education about problematic sexual behavior. In addition, myths and facts surrounding love and sexuality are addressed to correct misconceptions.

Another focus is on explaining how sexual preferences develop and the importance of acceptance, which is promoted through knowledge. Methods for relaxation and coping with everyday challenges are presented, as well as strategies for impulse control and identifying personal triggers that may promote problematic behavior.

In addition, the importance of empathy and self-awareness is emphasized in order to identify and address problematic behaviors early on. The possibility of drug treatments to manage intense, uncontrollable sexual desire is also discussed. Similarly, the key role of individual wellbeing is emphasized, supported by personal stories and self-help tools. The self-help modules are based on the Berlin Dissexuality Therapy (BEDIT) therapy manual. No data on the effectiveness of the Troubled Desire program has been published to date.

Therapeutic Chat Service
In October 2023, a Therapeutic Chat Service was added to the Troubled Desire platform. This service is made possible by funding from the European Commission's Internal Security Fund (ISF) as part of the “STOP-CSAM” project. The Therapeutic Chat Service is aimed specifically at people who use child sexual abuse images (CSAM; so-called “child pornography”) and want to stop doing so. The main aim of the Therapeutic Chat Service is to combat the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. The Therapeutic Chat Service is aimed at people who are about to engage in problematic online behavior or for those who are at risk of using abusive images. Participation in the Therapeutic Chat Service is voluntary, but specific criteria must be met in order to be included in the research study. All participants must give their informed consent online.

To take part in a chat session, the therapist and the participant each need an internet connection, e.g. with a computer, tablet or smartphone. They meet online at a predetermined time. The intervention typically comprises four sessions, each lasting 50 minutes and spread over four weeks. All therapists involved are qualified professionals who have completed specialized training. The Therapeutic Chat Service is available in German, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Czech until October 2024.