DRAGONS+ builds on Swansea University’s expertise in anti-grooming technology to pioneer research at the intersection of offender and child interaction. This research considers development of perceived-first-person CSAM and how children try to communicatively resist groomers’ manipulation.  

Most research and prevention programs presently focus on sexual interest in children (i.e., pedohebephilic interests), yet according to research, 4 in 10 individuals who view child pornography do not hold pedohebephilic interests, and there are other psychological drivers of behaviour that may be potential risk factors for CSEA. MSB Berlin Medical School will seek to survey and learn more about more the Individuals who have not yet, but may be at risk for seeking child sexual abuse material online and deter them from committing online harm to children. 

Technology has progressed to the point where even without physical contact with the perpetrator, a child can become a victim of sexual violence. An integral part of implementing intervention strategies is understanding the whole picture of what is happening on both ends – offenders and victims are interconnected. 

TKDF’s research will address the gaps, trends and tactics of the response and support mechanisms in the digital platforms that are heavily used by different population groups amongst children in Turkey.

As our interactions and social relationships are increasingly transposed online, so are the harmful social norms.  Focused on youth participation, Royal Roads University’s research investigates emerging social norms that perpetuate sexual violence among youth online, explores youth ideas for prevention by challenging destructive norms and bolstering supportive ones, and increases the understanding of youth experience of peer-to-peer online sexual violence.

The experiences and perspectives of children are at the heart of understanding efforts to keep them safe online. ​​Save the Children, in partnership with the Young and Resilient Research Centre (YRRC),  will conduct novel, cross-cultural research to understand how diverse children recognise, experience, and respond to grooming and solicitation.

Children and young people in general can be vulnerable online. But unfortunately, the risk can be more profound for those with an intellectual disability.

Online child sexual abuse and exploitation can affect almost all households globally – and parents and caregivers, who can be influential in most, if not all, settings of children’s lives, play an important role in keeping children safe online. But how well-equipped are they to keep them safe?