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Exercise 1: My collecting

Do you collect other things, as well as indecent images of children, for example stamps, coins or model cars? If you do, then it might be better to complete this exercise using one of those non-offending examples first. Then complete it a second time concentrating on the sexual images of children. It might be that you can compare the two and identify themes between them. This will help you later on when you are looking at what purpose collecting is serving for you. 

From the examples below, make a note of the three reasons that you most identify with.

  1. I get pleasure from a sense of completion and order.
  2. I find great value in the rarities and hard to come by items of my collection.
  3. I take pride in my collection.
  4. I like to compare my collection with other collectors.
  5. I have memories of sentimental attachments to my collection.
  6. Any other reasons.

Write a few sentences explaining why you have ticked your top three reasons.

In what way are they more important to you than the others?

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  2. Modify the worksheets by filling in the editable fields.
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When collecting is a problem

If you are collecting sexual images of children, then this is always a problem because it is harmful to both you and the children in the images.

Collecting can also become a problem when it starts to negatively impact on the other things in your life, such as:

  • You are not giving enough time to friends and family and prefer to spend your time collecting or feel distracted even when you are with them.
  • You are unable to build new or sustain existing relationships.
  • You are unable to concentrate on your job or you are unable to hold down a job.
  • All of your available money is going on your collecting or you are unable to pay your bills or have debts because of it.
  • Although you may enjoy collecting, it also makes you feel stressed or worried about it.

Let us take a look at what effect collecting is having on your life, using Exercise 2.