Abuse Characteristics and Psychiatric Consequences Associated with Online Sexual Abuse

Abstract

The current study examined the rate and psychiatric correlates of sexual abuse involving the use of digital technologies by the offender in a wide sample of juvenile victims. Sociodemographic, abuse, and psychiatric characteristics of 662 sexually abused children and adolescents were evaluated. Of these, 93 reported that digital devices were used by the offender in several ways to facilitate the sexual abuse. The offender-victim relationship was initiated through the Internet in 39 victims. Involvement of digital technologies in sexual abuse was significantly associated with penetrative and recurrent form of sexual abuse commited by multiple offenders with coexisting violence. Additionally, victims of sexual abuse with a digital component were 4.21 times more likely to develop any psychopathology, 3.77 times more likely to have depression, and 2.14 times more likely to have post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of sexual abuse. These results indicated that the offender's use of digital technology may aid the initiation and facilitation of the sexual abuse of youths and may relate to more severe outcomes. This study revealed the importance of raising the awareness of professionals and the community about the potential risks associated with digital technologies and sexual abuse. Mental health professionals should consider this additional form of victimization, especially when dealing with sexual abuse victims.

Online Sexual Abuse and Symptomatology in Chilean Adolescents: The Role of Peer Support

“…We believe that such gender differences should be considered when planning interventions for adolescents in countries where gender stereotypes are more prevalent (e.g., Chile). Consistent with previous evidence, the results of this study showed that the more frequent the OSA, the greater the symptomatology exhibited by affected adolescents in all measures provided (Houck et al, 2014;Nur Say et al, 2015;Wells & Mitchell, 2007). This finding reinforces the significance of preventing OSA, given its impact on adolescents despite the absence of physical contact with the perpetrator.…”

“…Regarding the consequences of OSA, there is a belief that this type of abuse is harmless for its victims because there is no victimization outside the online world (Whittle et al, 2013). On the contrary, the findings of different studies suggest that even when victimization occurred exclusively in the online context, victims presented a series of internalizing symptoms, such as depression and post-traumatic stress (Nur Say et al, 2015;Wells & Mitchell, 2007), and externalizing symptoms, such as antisocial behavior, substance abuse, and academic and social maladjustment (Houck et al, 2014). This finding highlights the need to prevent OSA and treat its consequences (UNICEF, 2011).…”

Technology assisted child sexual abuse: Professionals’ perceptions of risk and impact on children and young people

“…These are known in different regions internationally as indecent images of children (IIOC), child abuse images online (CAIO), child sexual abuse material (CSAM, in recognition that what is shared may not always be visual) or, more controversially, child 'pornography'. However, technology also provides increased ease of access to initiate, blackmail, escalate and maintain abuse (Hamilton-Giachritsis, Hanson, Whittle, & Beech, 2017;Mitchell, Finkelhor, Jones, & Wolak, 2010;Say, Babadagi, Karabekiroglu, Yuce, & Akbas, 2015). Alongside the increase in TA-CSA (also known as 'online CSA'), there has been a slow realisation that there are differences to offline child sexual abuse (CSA) that may require different approaches from organizations (Martin, 2015;Svedin, 2009;Quayle, 2016).…”

Children in Identified Sexual Images – Who Are they? Self‐ and Non‐Self‐Taken Images in the International Child Sexual Exploitation Image Database 2006–2015

“…Say et al . () examined the medical records of 662 sexual abuse victims referred from the court between 2012 and 2013 to a child and adolescent clinic in Turkey. Of these, 93 reported: (a) online/offline sexual acts through e‐mail, mobile phones, text messages and internet sites; (b) an image of the victim of a sexual nature or of the sexual abuse itself recorded on a mobile phone/camera, with threats of distribution if s/he did not continue sexual acts; (c) the image was shared online/offline; and (d) the victim was subjected to online harassment or offline sexual abuse by other offenders who knew about the image (p. 334).…”