Online and Technology Facilitated Child Sexual Abuse: Types and National Prevalence

• In Event: Identifying, Preventing, Investigating, Prosecuting, and Reducing Technology-Facilitated Abuse

Abstract

This presentation will report on a nationally-representative, online survey of 2639 adults aged 18 to 28 about their childhood and adulthood experiences of technology facilitated abuse. Rates of online sexual victimization varied considerably depending on the type of victimization. Separate rates will be provided for online sexual abuse, image based sexual abuse, nonconsensual image sharing, sextortion, online grooming and so-called revenge porn. The results highlight how different characterizations of the problem result in very different prevalence estimates. For most of the types, more abuse occurred at the hands of peers and romantic partners than at the hands of adults or online strangers. Risks varied by gender and racial background. The study suggests the need for more consensus around definitions of specific types of technology facilitated abuse. Some suggestions for future efforts will be presented.

Author

• Heather Turner, University of New Hampshire