November 19 / 2023 / Reading Time: 2 minutes
The nature of online CSEA among children living with disabilities
Children living with disabilities may be at increased risk of online CSEA due to active targeting by perpetrators.
In the global context, Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA) represents a significant concern, and children with disabilities, who are often in a more vulnerable position, are at an increased risk. This is the first study in the field that compiles the global evidence on OCSEA against children with disabilities.
Targeting younger children with disabilities
The data emphasises the vulnerability of this demographic, with children and adolescents primarily between the ages of 11 and 17 facing the greatest risk. This highlights the risks many children around the world are facing, and the urgent need for protective measures and awareness campaigns to safeguard children living with disabilities.
Perpetrator tactics and methods
Tactics and methods employed by online perpetrators against children with disabilities are most commonly reported as being:
- cyberthreats
- manipulation and harassment
- grooming including sexting
Social isolation and vulnerability are common risk factors
The isolation and vulnerability faced by children with disabilities significantly increase their susceptibility to online victimisation.
Challenges in establishing relationships, coupled with societal perceptions that may not take sexual exploitation of boys seriously, make them more susceptible to harm alongside unsupervised use of technology.
Social isolation and vulnerability should be recognised as crucial risk factors when designing interventions and support systems for all children with disabilities. Support for children with disabilities to report abuse as well as increased prevention programming is urgently needed
More information
Álvarez-Guerrero, G., Gaitis, K.K., Lu, M., and Fry, D. Nature of Online CSEA Among Children Living with Disabilities. In Searchlight 2023 - Childlight's Annual Flagship Report. Childlight – Global Child Safety Institute: Edinburgh, 2023.
Researchers: Dr Garazi Alvarez Guerrero, Dr Konstantinos Kosmas Gaitis, Dr Mengyao Lu, and Prof Deborah Fry
- Registered Protocol: https://osf.io/bq3gy