How do child sexual abuse live streaming offenders access victims?

This study analysed chat logs obtained for seven offenders who committed 145 child sexual abuse (CSA) live streaming offences against 74 victims. The study found that offenders accessed victims online or by forming relationships with Filipino locals during trips to the Philippines, which would then move online and lead to CSA live streaming. A facilitator was involved in approximately 35 percent of offences. Facilitators were often female family members of victims (eg mothers and sisters). Some facilitators appeared to have experienced child sexual abuse as well. Although some offenders intentionally targeted children, it was also common for offenders to receive unsolicited offers of CSA live streaming from facilitators and victims. This suggests that some CSA live streaming offenders are ‘opportunistic’, and may be responsive to situational crime prevention and primary prevention measures such as messaging campaigns and online warning messages posted on specific sites where victims are targeted.