Findings suggest the need for non-legislative measures to improve Internet safety for children concerning online child grooming, a premeditated behavior intended to secure the trust and cooperation of children prior to engaging in sexual conduct. In particular, initiatives by those that operate social-networking sites and the financial services industry will favorably reduce such contact. Several social networking sites have been proactive in working with law enforcement agencies to protect children against online sexual offenders. Because child-abuse materials often involve payment, an effective strategy is to monitor online payments made to those who provide illegal content for a fee. Online reporting and monitoring systems are also important tools, often including a simple method to report abuse to authorities. Finally, the development of sophisticated computer forensic software that can be used for child-exploitation investigations is increasingly important. Adult awareness and child education are critical preventive measures; educational outreach programs can provide proactive prevention and reporting. This multi-dimensional non-legislative approach should focus on effective coordination and collaboration among the public and private sectors. References
Responding to Online Child Sexual Grooming: An Industry Perspective
NCJ Number
228429
Date Published
July 2009
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper examines non-legislative measures to address online child exploitation, in particular the potential for individuals to make contact with children for sexual gratification or to groom them for subsequent meetings during which sexual activity may be undertaken.
Abstract