CHILD SEX DOLLS AND ROBOTS: MORE THAN JUST AN UNCANNY VALLEY

Abstract

Schemas are modified with subsequent exposure and experiences,18 creating a complex conceptual framework of how to select, seduce (groom), and sexually abuse/exploit children, and, likely, how to avoid detection.[...]when the pedophile is in the presence of a child, whether a real one or a close approximation (i.e., child sex doll or robot), the schema will be activated and, through a process known as spreading activation, all related thoughts and behaviors also will be triggered.19 Specifically, a single thought (e.g., this girl-doll is attractive) sparks other, semantically (categorically) similar thoughts in a domino-like process (e.g., I want to undress her, I want to touch her, etc.), and when primed with a specific related concept (e.g., sexy, arousing), this process happens rapidly.The child sex dolls and robots do not provide distress cues, a firm "no," or attempts to escape, all of which could be interpreted by pedophiles as consent.98 Psychiatrists are concerned that pedophiles, who have several social, cognitive, and emotional deficits (i.e., inability to recognize distress or to empathize with victims),99 would not be able to discern sexual contact as part of the fantasy with child sex dolls and robots from the reality with actual children.100 This is because it is the act itself, not the 'object,' that reinforces the fantasy for the pedophile.[...]the positive reinforcement of programmed child sex dolls and robots to have an 'orgasm' (as adult ones are now capable of doing) may solidify for the pedophile their current misconception that children like and desire sexual relations.101 Therefore, child sex dolls and robots' ability to incite lustful thoughts combined with the pedophiles' cognitive distortions helps them to maintain illicit desires through reward as part of fantasy engagement and sexual release.In the United Kingdom, the importation of indecent or obscene articles are prohibited by the Customs Consolidation Act of 1876.Since March 2016, at least 123 child sex dolls being sent from China and Hong Kong have been seized by UK Border Force agents.157 One of these sex dolls belonged to Andrew Dobson, who was arrested and received two years and eight months imprisonment for importing "an indecent or obscene article," a child sex doll resembling a four-year-old girl, from Hong Kong.158 Another child sex doll belonged to Dean Hall, who was sentenced to a 12-month suspended prison sentence, required to register as a sex offender for 10 years, and given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, along with community service and mandatory rehabilitation.159 Andrew Larkins also attempted to import a child sex doll; for his crime, he was sentenced to a 24-month suspended prison sentence, given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and was required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.160 Likewise, Simon Glerum was found guilty of importing a "an indecent or obscene article"161 and received a suspended 12-month prison sentence and a five-year sexual harm prevention order, and was required to complete 20 days in rehabilitation and complete a sex offender treatment program.162 In all of the above-mentioned cases, the child sex dolls were intercepted by authorities before they arrived to the homes of those who purchased them.[...]five different types of harm could result from children's exposure to and interactions with child sex dolls and robots: (1) harm from showing age inappropriate sexually-related objects/images (sex toys/people engaging in sex, adult/child or child/child sex); (2) harm from sexual exploitation; (3) harm from exposure to sexually-related activities (seeing guardians' or parents' sexual interactions with the sex doll or robot); (4) harm from 'teaching' age inappropriate behaviors (i.e. , grooming them to engage in sex acts and learning sexualized behavior from them through modeling); and (5) harm from teaching children beliefs that are not held by mainstream society (corrupting them).