This document discusses the impact of technology on the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and young people. It summarizes research conducted by Barnardo's, including interviews with staff at child sexual exploitation services, parents, and young people. The research found that an increasing number of referrals are related to online abuse rather than offline abuse. Common online behaviors included grooming, sexting, accessing inappropriate websites, and communicating with strangers. However, professionals and agencies often do not recognize or prioritize online sexual harm against children. The document recommends improved training for professionals, prevention resources in schools, and assessments that consider online abuse.

1. Barnardo’s Registered Charity Nos. 216250 and
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Digital Dangers
The impact of technology on the sexual abuse and
exploitation of children and young people
Carron Fox
Barnardo’s
Research and Policy Officer

2. Barnardo’s Registered Charity Nos. 216250 and
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Background
‘Just One Click’! 2004 report by Tink
Palmer, Barnardo’s
Address growing concerns amongst
professionals about the ways in which
children and young people may be at
risk of harm online
Revisited this work after became
evident that technology has an
integral part in the sexual exploitation
of young people supported by our
services

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Methodology
• Small scale primary research and drawing on data from
Barnardo’s annual survey of CSE services
• In September 2014, 12 out of 15 services reported that a
minimum of 259 young people that had been supported had
been specifically impacted by online abuse
• 11 CSE services took part, with a total of 34 staff being
interviewed
• 4 non-CSE services were interviewed
• 11 young people interviewed and 8 parents/ carers

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Definitions
• Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse
• Term ‘CSE’ evolved from ‘child prostitution’
• Sometimes distinction is difficult to make, and more so in
relation to online sexual harm
• But, may need to understand to be able to provide necessary
support – i.e. if they don’t see themselves as a victim or still
have attachment to the offender

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Changing nature of
referrals
• Less ‘street scene’
• Increasing proportion of young
people referred who have been
abused online without same
vulnerabilities or risk indicators as
those abused offline
• Age of referral abused online
tends to be lower than referral for
offline
• Referrals for online appear to be
given less priority by statutory
agencies, which can mask the
extent of the harm caused

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Nature of referrals
• Grooming
• Sending and receiving sexually explicit messages and images
(sexting)
• Use of inappropriate websites
• Communicating with people not known to the child or young
person
• Control of the young person via their mobile phones

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Vulnerability
• “Youth needs approval – online give it
to them”
• Reaching adolescence , testing
boundaries and taking risks, including
engaging in age relevant risk taking
behaviour
• Learning difficulties
• Mental health issues
• Exploring sexual orientation

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Behaviours online
• Sexually explicit online, which can be soon after meeting a
stranger
• Sharing of details online assists potential offenders in finding
victims easily
• Acceptance that everyone can know about what you are doing
is seen to break down barriers around personal information
• “You can be anyone you want to be online, you can be older
and say things that you would never say direct to someone’s
face at school or at home.”
• Normalisation of sexual images and conversations

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Disclosure and discovery
• If its normal, why report it?
• Feel complicit in the abuse
• What they have been doing can be
seen
• Discovered by someone else rather
than disclosure
• “If only I had asked that question I
believe I would have saved him from
all the abuse he suffered, but I didn’t
and I will live with the guilt of not
asking for the rest of my life.”

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Professionals response
Social Care
• Concern among practitioners that harm caused by online isn’t
taken seriously, particularly non-contact sexual abuse
• Lack of confidence and high thresholds
• Lack of involvement once the child has been referred to a
specialist agency
“To assess such cases as non-priority because no physical contact
between the young person and the perpetrator has occurred
shows a lack of understanding of the impact that online grooming
and sexual abuse may have on a victim.”

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Professionals response
Police
• Substantial variation in response
• Different reactions by police to sexting
• Victim blaming
• Length of investigation
“The police need to understand the shock that parents feel, they
need to remove the stigma and to work together with parents to
protect their child, not work against them.”

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Professionals response
Health
• Lack of understanding by Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Service (CAMHS) and GPs
• Coming from secure, caring backgrounds does not fit in with
existing models
Schools
• Varied response in the way schools respond
• Lack of confidence in dealing with situations

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Professionals response
Criminal Justice
• Delayed disclosure or discovery
• Retraction and changing of evidence
• Juries should be better informed about sexual abuse and
exploitation
• Few cases relating to harm online
• Pre-trial therapy being disallowed
• Concerns regarding advocates

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Recommendations
• Easier access to existing prevention resources and advice,
including age-appropriate healthy relationships and sex
education through schools
• Assessment of products, such as games and apps, both those
currently in use and those in development, to make sure they
have safeguards in place to prevent children being harmed
online
• Training for all professionals working with children and young
people so that they feel confident in identifying those at risk of
harm online
• Assessments to be carried out by support services to include
abuse that relates to online harm only

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Thank you