Start Date
24-4-2025 12:00 AM
Description
As the virtual world continues to expand, online sexual child abuse (OSCA) is becoming an increasingly urgent issue, with various forms of technological exploitation, such as nonconsensual image misuse and coerced image recruitment, emerging as methods of harm. A national survey conducted by the University of New Hampshire found that 16% of young adults in the United States reported experiencing at least one form of online sexual abuse before turning 18. However, victims of OSCA often delay disclosure, sometimes not coming forward until years later. This delay is often due to fear of the offender discovering the disclosure, feelings of shame, or the belief that the abuse was not severe enough. Because of underreporting, accurately determining prevalence rates is challenging. In-depth research into this problem highlights the need for further investigation into OSCA’s prevalence, the methods perpetrators use to target victims, the psychological and social impact on survivors, and the barriers that prevent disclosure and reporting.
Recommended Citation
Fry, Charlotte, "Assessment of Current Online Sexual Child Abuse Research" (2025). 2025 Student Academic Showcase. 11.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/src_2025/Posters/Posters/11
Included in
Assessment of Current Online Sexual Child Abuse Research
As the virtual world continues to expand, online sexual child abuse (OSCA) is becoming an increasingly urgent issue, with various forms of technological exploitation, such as nonconsensual image misuse and coerced image recruitment, emerging as methods of harm. A national survey conducted by the University of New Hampshire found that 16% of young adults in the United States reported experiencing at least one form of online sexual abuse before turning 18. However, victims of OSCA often delay disclosure, sometimes not coming forward until years later. This delay is often due to fear of the offender discovering the disclosure, feelings of shame, or the belief that the abuse was not severe enough. Because of underreporting, accurately determining prevalence rates is challenging. In-depth research into this problem highlights the need for further investigation into OSCA’s prevalence, the methods perpetrators use to target victims, the psychological and social impact on survivors, and the barriers that prevent disclosure and reporting.