Which dynamics make online child sexual abuse and cyberstalking more emotionally impactful: Perpetrator identity and images?

Abstract

BackgroundThe migration of offenses against children to the online environment requires a revised understanding of how episode dynamics aggravate the harm. ObjectiveTo assess the contribution of various online offense episode elements to the overall negative emotional impact. Participants and settingsThe sample comprised 2639 IPSOS KnowledgePanel members aged 18 to 28, 1215 of whom reported episodes of online sexual abuse or cyberstalking that occurred prior to the age of 18. The analysis was based on 2056 episodes with detailed follow-up information. MethodsParticipants were recruited online and filled out online questionnaires about online sexual abuse and cyberstalking episodes, their characteristics, and the negative emotional impact (NEI) associated with each episode. NEI was derived from a factor analysis of 8 impact items. ResultsHigher negative emotional impact was associated with forms of sexual image misuse: non-consensual sharing, non-consensual taking and threatened sharing/sextortion. Peers made up a majority of offenders, and their impact was just as great as adult offenders. Known perpetrators, including intimate partners, also made up the largest proportion of offenders and their impact was just as great as online strangers or anonymous offenders. ConclusionOnline safety awareness and prevention need a larger focus on peer and acquaintance offenses, particularly around the misuse of sexual images.