Abstract
Background: Despite the rise in ‘online’/technology-assisted child sexual abuse (TA-CSA), little research has been conducted on professionals’ perceptions beyond reporting on young people's experiences. Objectives: This novel study aimed to understand how professionals who work with victims perceive online CSA (i.e., dynamics and impact), and organizational responses to it. Participants and settings: Seven child protection professionals completed a paper-based pilot questionnaire; another 45 professionals (from child protection, policing, education and therapy) completed a shorter, online survey. Methods: Recruitment occurred via a child protection conference, relevant law enforcement/child protection organizations, and advertised via BASPCAN (a national organization for child protection professionals). Results: Professionals often demonstrated a limited understanding of the wide range of ‘online’ CSA. Online CSA was often seen by organizations and some professionals as less serious than offline CSA, with offline victims’ prioritized as higher risk, even though respondents noted the impact may be the same. Organizations rarely had clearly outlined assessment/intervention pathways, and some professionals noted that organizations are more likely to perceive victims as ‘active’ participants or to blame for their abuse. Conclusions: There is often a limited understanding of the risks and severity of TA-CSA, and this can lead to victims remaining at risk, a systemic failure to protect, and a decreased chance of accessing appropriate interventions. Drawing on our findings, we make a number of recommendations, including adoption of the term ‘technology-assisted abuse’, adapted assessment tools and interventions, and widespread training. Policies should be reviewed to ensure they are not implicitly minimizing this serious form of abuse.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 104651 |
Journal | Child Abuse and Neglect |
Volume | 119 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 24 Aug 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 30 Sept 2021 |
Funding
Pat Branigan (NSPCC) and David Wetherell (Childline) for support and facilitation of recruitment. Zoe Hilton (CEOP) and Michael Larkin (University of Birmingham) as additional steering group members. This study was funded by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), UK, and supported by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), part of the National Crime Agency.
Keywords
- Child sexual abuse
- Digital
- Impact
- Online
- Professionals
- Technology-assisted
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
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Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis
- Department of Psychology - Professor
- EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Cyber Security
- Institute for Digital Security and Behaviour (IDSB)
- Centre for the Study of Violence
Person: Research & Teaching, Core staff, Affiliate staff