Online child sexual exploitation: prevalence, process, and offender characteristics

Juliane Kloess, Anthony R Beech, Leigh Harkins

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

52 Citations (Scopus)
3344 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This review provides an overview of current knowledge and understanding of the process of sexual grooming and exploitation of children via the Internet. Specifically, the prevalence of online sexual grooming and exploitation is explored as well as associated challenges relating to the identification of its occurrence. This is complemented by a detailed outline and discussion of the process, both online and in the physical world, and legal responses to this phenomenon. A number of factors are examined to provide an explanation of the facilitating and contributing role they may play in offense processes online. Finally, current typologies are discussed in relation to characteristics of Internet offenders in general and "groomers"/chat room offenders specifically. This review concludes by offering suggestions for future research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)126-139
Number of pages14
JournalTrauma, Violence and Abuse
Volume15
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2014

Keywords

  • sexual grooming
  • online sexual exploitation
  • internet communications

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Online child sexual exploitation: prevalence, process, and offender characteristics'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this