TITLE:
In Their Own Words: Young Peoples’ Vulnerabilities to Being Groomed and Sexually Abused Online
AUTHORS:
Helen C. Whittle, Catherine E. Hamilton-Giachritsis, Anthony R. Beech
KEYWORDS:
Online Grooming, Victims, Child Sexual Abuse, Vulnerabilities
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.5 No.10,
August
18,
2014
ABSTRACT: Little is
known about why some children and young people are vulnerable to being groomed
online, yet this has important implications for policy, practice and
prevention. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify factors contributing
to a young person’s vulnerability towards online grooming. Thematic Analysis
was conducted on eight interviews with young people (six females and two males)
who had experienced online grooming, resulting in sexual abuse online and/or
offline. The reasons why participants engaged with the offenders varied on most
levels of the Bron-fenbrenner
(1979) ecological model (including individual, family, community and society). The
loss of family protection was found to be central in contributing to
vulnerability, as is online risk taking behavior. Three victim vulnerability
scenarios emerged: 1) multiple long-term risk factors, 2) trigger events and 3)
online behavioral risks. In each of these scenarios, parental and family
factors were very important. It is suggested that further research is needed to
investigate the applicability of these scenarios to other samples.
Recommendations include parent and carer communication and involvement with
their children’s internet use, as well as consistent, early onset internet
safety education.