Child Sexual Abuse in the Virtual Space: A Case Study Analysis

By : Ashapurna Das, Mahalakshmi Rajagopal

Page No: 351-359

Abstract: 
Recurring child sexual abuse (CSA) is a globally shared concern. Millions of children have been victims to such acts and continue to be so in silence. Where often physical abuse goes unrecognized and is under-reported, we can only imagine how other forms of CSA are taking place. This has even translated to the virtual world as children shift to the online mode of education during the pandemic. Hiding behind the screen, abusers have found new ways of preying on minors. Such is seen in the recent case of a PSBB teacher being detained for his inappropriate behavior on zoom. While abusers are seen to be misusing the accessibility of the internet, children also now have earlier access to electronic devices and the internet. Such an exposure has also seen to be misused, as seen in the infamous case of the Bois Locker Room. Considering these two events where CSA took place on the virtual space, the very virtual space is questioned in this paper regarding its safety, accessibility and misuse. With this paper, we also propose a revised perspective of looking at CSA in the time of the pandemic. This is done by identifying the perils, causes, and impact of online CSA. Upon identifying these, interventions to reduce such incidents are laid down in this study.

Authors :
Ashapurna Das
Postgraduate Student – Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

Mahalakshmi Rajagopal
Sahayam Charitable Trust, New Delhi.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPR.2022.17.02.8