Child sexual abuse ‘as serious online as in person’
New report presented at conference involves survey of nearly 25,000 survivors
A new report published by the Finnish child rights organisation Protect Children, in conjunction with researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), shows how the impacts of online abuse can be as serious as in-person abuse.
The study, based on findings from a survey of nearly 25,000 child sexual abuse survivors, highlights how online environments facilitate opportunities for child sexual abuse and exploitation, including grooming, coercion, and higher risks of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.
Every year, 300 million children globally experience online sexual violence. Despite the alarming prevalence, online child sexual violence is often not taken seriously, and its impacts remain misrepresented and misunderstood.
The new report, presented for the first time at IPPPRI26, the annual conference of Anglia Ruskin University’s International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute, examines the distinct experiences and impacts of online and in-person child sexual abuse and exploitation, drawing on 24,912 responses in 36 languages to a global survey of survivors (the Global Our Voice Survivor Survey).
Researchers at Protect Children and ARU’s International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute analysed the data, revealing the following findings:
- Children are at the highest risk of online abuse at age 10-15. 55% of respondents were first victimised when they were 10-15 years old. Online abuse survivors were on average 10 years old when the abuse began.
- Perpetrators are often known to the victim. 61% of respondents knew the perpetrator before the abuse began, most commonly through their family or social circles. In 47% of cases, the abuse involved more than one perpetrator.
- Online abuse often happens in parallel with in-person abuse and commercial sexual exploitation. This complex victimisation leads to cumulative long-term impacts.
- Online abuse often leads to severe and lasting impacts. 74% of survivors report experiencing long-term negative consequences, most commonly anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction, relationship difficulties and self-harm.
- Experiences of online sexual violence are often not taken seriously. 55% of survivors did not disclose their experiences due to feelings of shame, while 45% thought it was not serious enough.
On the basis of the findings, the organisation calls for greater recognition of the impact of online abuse and stronger legislative measures to ensure that survivors have access to justice and support.
“The findings underscore the severe nature of online child sexual violence, while highlighting the challenges in relation to disclosure, support, and reparation. We call for stronger recognition of this form of abuse to ensure it is not minimised or overlooked.”
Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen, Executive Director, Senior Specialist and Psychotherapist at Protect Children
“Research such as this evidences the vital need for legislation, education and support to help prevent this kind of exploitation.
“Online abuse is as impactive as physical abuse, and with the exponential rise in cases right across the world, we must do all we can to understand this through data, insight and lived experience.”
Dr Lea Kamitz, a researcher from Anglia Ruskin University’s International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute who was involved in the report
“Online environments have changed the way child sexual abuse and exploitation can occur. It is essential to recognise online child sexual violence as a distinct and serious form of harm and to ensure all survivors have access to justice and support.”
Eva Díaz Bethencourt, Specialist and Human Rights Lawyer at Protect ChildrenThe full report is available here: https://www.suojellaanlapsia.fi/en/post/our-voice-report-online-child-sexual-abuse-survivors
During the IPPPRI26 conference, ARU together with Protect Children and the Internet Watch Foundation launched the ECHO Survivor Hub, a new tool to help victims of online child abuse have their images removed from the internet and also support them in understanding options for criminal compensation and civil remedy.