One click is all it takes: technology-assisted child sexual abuse

2021 ◽  
Vol 605 (10) ◽  
pp. 41-52
Author(s):  
Joanna Płonka

In times of easily accessible technology and the Internet, the number of technology-assisted child sexual abuse (TA-CSA) is increasing. Anonymity, the multitude of victims that can be reached at the same time, as well as the variety of online abuse forms are in some way conducive to the perpetrators of sexual crimes in undertaking the act. Nevertheless, specialists in the field indicate that the phenomenon itself, as well as its consequences are not fully investigated. The aim of this article is to introduce the reader to the issues of TA-CSA by: 1) to present what the phenomenon of child sexual abuse is and what notions it entails, 2) to identify different types and forms of online sexual abuse (cyber grooming, sexting, sextortion and web-cam sexting), and 3) to take a close look at several selected research studies in the field, examining the consequences of technology-assisted sexual abuse on children. From previous reports of researchers investigating the causes and effects of child sexual abuse, including technology-assisted abuse, it can be concluded that the consequences of online abuse are very similar to those of offline sexual abuse, and even include additional factors that victims must face. Further research on this topic should therefore be looked at in order to better understand the nature of technology-assisted sexual abuse and not succumb to the illusion of this type of experience minor importance over the experience of offline sexual violence. Understanding the relevance and consequences of this phenomenon will allow for effective interventions in support services and educational activities.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-59
Author(s):  
Rika Dewi Auliani Usman ◽  
Nurul Husna

Abstract. Sexual crimes occur not only in urban areas but also in villages. This crime has a big impact especially the majority of victims are children. LRSAMPK Darussa’adah is an institution whose role is to provide services for victims. The purpose of this study was to determine the types of cases of child sexual violence, the strategies carried out by the assistants in terminating and barriers, challenges and support in terminating. This is a field research with a qualitative approach. Data collection techniques are observation, interviews and documentation, then the research results are analyzed descriptively. The results showed that the types of child sexual abuse cases handled by LRSAMPK Darussa’adah were rape, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, neglect of the baby, sexual abuse and abduction for sexual purposes. The accompanying strategy in terminating child sexual abuse cases is to convince the victims’ families and communities by involving referrals, “geuchik”, social workers and related agencies. The challenges of Darussa’adah social workers are when client stakeholders are difficult to ask for information about victims and there are some people who refuse and some accept victims. The support received by Darussa’adah social workers is when the referrals are willing to work together to find ways to facilitate the termination of victims, and also families and there are still people who are willing to accept among the majority of people who refuse victims returning,  Abstrak. Kejahatan seksual marak terjadi tidak hanya di perkotaan tetapi meluas ke perkampungan. Kejahatan ini berdampak besar khususnya sebagian besar korbannya adalah anak-anak. LRSAMPK Darussa’adah merupakan lembaga yang berperan memberi pelayanan bagi korban. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui jenis kasus kekerasan seksual anak, strategi yang dilakukan oleh pendamping dalam melakukan terminasi dan hambatan, tantangan maupun dukungan dalam melakukan terminasi. Ini adalah penelitian lapangan (field research) dengan pendekatan kualitatif. Teknik pengumpulan data adalah observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi, selanjutnya hasil penelitian dianalisis secara deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa jenis kasus kekerasan seksual anak yang ditangani LRSAMPK Darussa’adah adalah perkosaan, pelecehan seksual, eksploitasi seksual, penelantaran bayi, pencabulan perdagangan dan penculikan untuk tujuan seksual.  Strategi pendamping dalam melakukan terminasi pada kasus kekerasan seksual anak adalah dengan meyakinkan keluarga korban maupun masyarakat dengan melibatkan perujuk, geuchik, pekerja sosial dan dinas terkait. Hambatan dan tantangan pekerja sosial Darussa’adah adalah ketika stakeholder klien sulit dimintai keterangan mengenai korban dan ada sebagian masyarakat yang menolak dan sebagian menerima korban. Adapun dukungan yang diterima pekerja sosial Darussa’adah adalah ketika perujuk bersedia kerjasama mencari cara agar mempermudah terminasi korban, dan juga keluarga serta masih ada masyarakat yang mau menerima di tengah-tengah sebagian besar masyarakat yang menolak korban kembali.  


2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Divya Ravindran ◽  
Janardhana N ◽  
Indiramma V

Child sexual abuse is a major public health problem with significant psychosocial consequences (Afifi & Macmillan, 2011). All child sexual abuse victims do not depict adverse consequences in later life. The variability of impact in a potentially traumatic experience like child sexual abuse is explained by the construct of resilience and it being the outcome of the influence of certain protective factors (Henley, 2010). The present article conceptualizes resilience in the area of child sexual abuse where individual, familial and community level factors are identified as predictors to fostering resilience. Formulation and development of effective interventions to reduce the impairment following child sexual abuse and to foster resilience in children, adolescents and survivors are recommended.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Tameka Romeo ◽  
Henry Otgaar ◽  
Sara Landstrom

General consensus exists in the psychological literature with regard to what constitutes child sexual abuse (CSA) and the negative implications for victims of CSA throughout the course of their lives. Recently, different types of cognitive strategies that victims may use to cope with CSA and the possible effects of these coping strategies on memory have received considerable empirical attention. The first aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the current literature about why, how, and when victims of CSA use the cognitive coping strategies of false denial, disclosure, and recantation to cope with psychological, emotional, and even interpersonal implications of their abuse. Over the years, disclosure is the one strategy that has been researched extensively, whereas research on false denial and recantation has barely just begun. The second aim is to provide a recent overview of the relationship between coping strategies and memory in the context of CSA. Specifically, we will discuss how false denials may have the potential to negatively affect a victim’s memory. Finally, we present an argument for the need to undertake research into insufficiently examined coping strategies such as false denial and recantation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 731-764
Author(s):  
Sabine K. Witting

Abstract Combatting child sexual abuse on the internet requires a high level of harmonisation of both substantive and procedural laws, as online child sexual abuse is transnational by default: while the transnational nature of child sexual abuse material used to be the exception before the advent of the internet, it is now the rule. In order to prosecute and investigate online child sexual abuse across country borders, states rely heavily on extraterritorial jurisdiction clauses as well as informal and formal law enforcement collaboration channels. This paper analyses existing channels in the opsc, Budapest Convention and Lanzarote Convention, particularly against the background of the recently published crc Committee Guidelines regarding the implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (crc/c/156), and provides for concrete guidance on how to ensure that the best interests of the child in the prosecution and investigation of transnational crimes such as online child sexual abuse is the primary consideration.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Engie Frentzen ◽  
Doris Reisacher ◽  
Elmar Brähler ◽  
Miriam Rassenhofer ◽  
Jörg M. Fegert ◽  
...  

Introduction: The number of reportings on sexual abuse (SA), sexual violence (SV) cases covered in the media has risen a significant amount with most cases involving women and children. The aim of the study is to explore the questions: Are people aware of sexual abuse and sexual violence in the media? What are the predictors of awareness of sexual abuse and sexual violence? Does the awareness of sexual abuse and sexual violence in the media affect the actions of the individuals?Methods: A representative survey of the German-speaking resident population (2020) on physical and mental well-being was used. The participants (N = 2,503: females = 50.9%) were between the ages of 14 and 97 (M = 49.81). The German version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, The General Habitual Well-Being Questionnaire and questions about own experiences of sexual harassment on the internet, experiences of domestic sexual abuse and different socio-economic variables were used. The outcome variables regarding the awareness of SA and SV in the media, different types of scandals (church, pedophile, USA), #MeToo-debate and the change in actions were used. Frequency analyses and binary regressions were conducted.Results: One thousand five hundred and fifty-five (62.6%) respondents answered yes to being aware of SA and SV in the media. The results show that females, aging, number of children in household, Protestant and Catholic religion, school graduation, own experience(s) of sexual harassment on the internet, own experience(s) of SA in childhood, and Adverse Childhood Experiences have a significant higher association to the awareness of SA and SV in the media. German nationality and Muslim religion have a significant lower association. The variables that most commonly affected the awareness of SA and SV, scandals, debate and the individual actions were age, own experiences of sexual harassment on the internet and the Protestant religion.Conclusion: Advertising more support centers, hotlines and linking this information to sexual abuse cases covered in the media should be considered. Media bystander interventions could be helpful to train people to react appropriately. Further investigation that considers the different types of media and its influence on the awareness of SA and SV is needed.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara Shuman

The deleterious effects of child sexual abuse (CSA) on youth’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive, neurobiological, sexual and developmental functioning are pervasive. Early targeted interventions for both the child who experienced CSA and their nonoffending caregivers are essential for healing and recovery. Effective interventions which are tailored to the youth’s developmental level can help mitigate or even prevent some of the serious and enduring negative effects of CSA, including symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This chapter is not comprehensive, but examines evidence based interventions for children and adolescents who have been sexually abused including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Additionally, this chapter will address systemic factors in CSA, recommending coordinated and trauma informed efforts utilizing an interdisciplinary approach, which may include a forensic medical team, investigators, prosecutors and other disciplines. This professional collaboration can prevent retraumatization of the child as the child and family navigate the sequela of CSA.


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