Examining the Responses of School Personnel to Online Sexual Exploitation of Minors: A Qualitative Vignette Study

• In Event: Preventing and Addressing Cyber Victimization

Abstract

The term 'guardianship', often used to address and propose solutions for preventing child sexual abuse, lacks a systematic exploration of guardians' responses to various forms of Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) within the school setting. Drawing on Felson's and Cohen's routine activity theory and Reynald’s guardian-in-action model, our research team adopted the qualitative vignette approach for the current study. Constructing and validating 32 case scenarios in the initial phase, featuring diverse OSEC types, victims, and perpetrator profiles, we conducted individual interviews with 80 school staff members in the subsequent phase. The study focused on how place managers (school principals) and guardians (teachers, social workers, and teaching assistants) in primary and secondary schools recognize, perceive, and respond to OSEC. We analyzed the qualitative data using QRS NVivo plus (V12) software. Six dimensions influencing their choices of action to OSEC emerged: certainty, commitment, confidence and capacity, case content, consent, and challenges. These findings contribute to the existing knowledge by expanding the concept of guardianship and aligning place management with guardianship in the school setting. The implications extend to policymakers and school management boards in devising effective school-based measures.

Authors

• Jessica Chi Mei Li, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

• Richard Wortley, University College of London

• Sylvia Kwok, City University of Hong Kong

• Albert Ho, Barrister-at-law

• Thomas Leung, Kiangsu-Chekiang College (Kwai Chung)