Hunting the Predators: Strategies used by Sexual Offenders Targeting Children Online

• In Event: Posters I

Abstract

Evidence suggests that internet sex offending is increasing (Wolak, Finkelhor, Mitchell & Ybarra, 2008). Much of this offending is directed at children. The current research investigated strategies used by internet sex offenders when soliciting children for sexual activity online. Secondary data in the form of chatroom transcripts were collected from the publically accessible website PJFI (www.perverted-justice.com). This organisation is endorsed by law enforcement agencies and trains adult volunteers (known as “decoys”) to pose as adolescents across various internet chat websites. The chatroom transcripts detailed the full written dialogue between decoy and offender prior to arrest. For the purposes of this research the transcripts were analysed utilising a thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Offenders were convicted based on the written content of these transcripts making this data ideal for identifying the strategies used by these perpetrators. The findings from the current study address the paucity of academic research investigating actual strategies used by internet sex offenders to solicit children online (Dombrowski, LeMasney, Ahia & Dickson, 2004), and aims to inform preventative programmes, and aid investigator training.

Authors

• Claire Ann Cooke, University of Gloucestershire, England

• Kerry John Rees, University of Gloucestershire, England

• Jamie Schofield, University of Gloucestershire, England