Features of online grooming as a form of sexual exploitation of minors (based on the analysis of communication between adults and children in the Internet)

819

Abstract

Online grooming as a form of sexual exploitation of minors is a serious problem for the modern world. This phenomenon is actively reflected in foreign studies, yet in Russia it is still insufficiently studied, despite its high occurrence. Using 67 indicators of communicative activities, 77 transcripts of Internet correspondence between adults and minors with sexual content and including the implementation of online grooming were analyzed. As a result of a qualitative analysis and implementation of descriptive statistics methods, 3 main communicative goals that adults pursued were identified. It is emphasized that almost all adults expressed a desire to have sex with minors in the real world. The article presents the main stages of communication between adults and minors and the implemented grooming tactics. Special attention is devoted to the peculiarities of the reaction of minors to online grooming. A conclusion about the general vulnerability of minors to sexual harassment is made, as well as a conclusion about the need for further research on online grooming and the development of preventive measures.

General Information

Keywords: online grooming, the Internet, communication, children, sexual activities, sexual exploitation.

Journal rubric: Legal Psychology of Childhood

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2019090412

For citation: Medvedeva A.S., Dozortseva E.G. Features of online grooming as a form of sexual exploitation of minors (based on the analysis of communication between adults and children in the Internet) [Elektronnyi resurs]. Psikhologiya i pravo = Psychology and Law, 2019. Vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 161–173. DOI: 10.17759/psylaw.2019090412. (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)

References

  1. Dozortseva E.G., Medvedeva A.S. Sexual online grooming as an object of psychological research. Psychology and law psyandlaw.ru 2019. Vol. 9. no.2. P. 250—263. [Elektronnyi resurs]. Psikhologiia i pravo [Psychology and Law], 2019(9), no. 2. P .250—263. doi: 10.17759/psylaw.2019090217
  2. Al-Hateeb H.M., Epiphaniou G. How technology can mitigate and counteract cyberstalking and online grooming // Computer Fraud & Security. 2016. Vol. 1. P. 14—18
  3. Briggs P., Simon W.T., Simonsen S. An exploratory study of Internet-initiated sexual offenses and the chat room sex offender: Has the Internet enabled a new typology of sex offender? // Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment. 2011. Vol. 23 (1). P. 72—91
  4. Craven S., Brown S., Gilchrist E. Sexual grooming of children: Review of literature and theoretical considerations // Journal of Sexual Aggression. 2006. Vol. 12. P. 287—299
  5. Cossins A. The hearsay rule and delayed complaints of child sexual abuse: The law and the evidence // Psychiatry, Psychology and Law. 2002. Vol. 9 (2). P. 163—176. doi:10.1375/13218710260612055
  6. Davidson J., Grove-Hills J., Bifulco A., Gottschalk P., Caretti V., Pham T., Webster S. Online Abuse: Literature Review and Policy Context [Электронный ресурс] // Prepared for the European Commission Safer Internet Plus Programme. 2011. URL: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/514d/6c44b24a5c0f27ee543360ee4b449d56739f.pdf (Аccessed: 25.09.2019)
  7. Davidson J., Gottschalk P. Online Groomers: Profiling, Policing and Prevention’ Dorset // Russell House Publishing Ltd. 2010. P. 189
  8. Webster S., Davidson J., Bifulco A., Gottschalk P., Caretti V., Pham T., Grove-Hills J. European Online Grooming Project final report. [Электронный ресурс] // European Union. 2012. URL: http://www.european-online-grooming-project.com/ ( Аccessed: 25.09.2019)
  9. Gillespie Alisdair A. Child Protection on the Internet Challenges for Criminal Law [Электронный ресурс] // Child and Family Law Quarterly. 2002. Vol. 14. № 4. P. 411—425. URL: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2084816 (Аccessed: 25.09.2019)
  10. Klimek L. Solicitation of Children for Sexual Purposes: The New Offence in the EU (Under the Directive 2011/92/EU) // International and Comparative Law Review. 2012. Vol. 12. № 1. P. 141—151
  11. Kloess J.A., Beech A.R., Harkins L. Online Child Sexual Exploitation: Prevalence, Process and Offender Characteristics // TRAUMA, VIOLENCE, & ABUSE. 2014. Vol. 15(2). P. 126—139. doi: 10.1177/1524838013511543
  12. Kloess J.A., Hamilton-Giachritsis Catherine E., Beech Anthony R. Offense Processes of Online Sexual Grooming and Abuse of Children Via Internet Communication Platforms // Sexual Abuse. 2017. Vol. 311. P. 73—96
  13. McAlinden, A.M. "Setting 'em up": Personal, familial and institutional groom­ing in the sexual abuse of children // Social and Legal Studies. 2006. Vol. 15. P. 339—362. doi:10.1177/0964663906066613
  14. O’Connell R. A typology of child cybersexploitation and online grooming practices [Электронный ресурс] // Cyberspace Research Unit, University of Central Lancashire. 2003. URL: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/uploaded_documents/lis_PaperJPrice.pdf (Аccessed: 25.09.2019)
  15. O'Donohue W.T., Fanetti M. Forensic interviews regarding child sexual abuse: a guide to evidence-based practice // Cham: Springer International Publishing: Imprint: Springer. 2016. P. 368. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-21097-1
  16. Pranoto H., Gunawan F.E., Soewito B. Logistic Models for Classifying Online Grooming Conversation // Procedia Computer Science. 2015. Vol. 59. P. 357—365
  17. Suler J. The online disinhibition effect [Электронный ресурс] // Cyberpsychology & Behavior. 2004. Vol. 7 (3). P. 321—326. URL: https://doi.org/10.1089/1094931041291295 (Аccessed: 25.09.2019)
  18. Wolak J., Finkelhor D., Mitchell K.J. Internet-initiated sex crimes against minors: Implications for prevention based on findings from a national study // Journal of Adolescent Health. 2004. Vol. 35 (5). P. 11—20
  19. Whittle H., Hamilton-Giachritsis C., Beech A., Collings G. A review of online grooming: Characteristics and concerns // Aggression and Violent Behavior. 2013. Vol. 18 (1). P. 62—70

Information About the Authors

Anna S. Medvedeva, PhD in Psychology, Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Psychology of Child and Adolescence, V.P. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Narcology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Lead Forensic Expert, North-Western Regional Center of Forensic Expertise of the Ministry of Justice of Russia, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0921-588X, e-mail: 98765_89@mail.ru

Elena G. Dozortseva, Doctor of Psychology, Professor, Professor, Department of Legal Psychology and Law, Faculty of Legal Psychology, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Senior Researcher, Laboratory for Child and Adolescent Psychology, V.P. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Narcology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1309-0485, e-mail: edozortseva@mail.ru

Metrics

Views

Total: 2852
Previous month: 27
Current month: 19

Downloads

Total: 819
Previous month: 7
Current month: 6