124: Offence Processes of Online Sexual Grooming and Abuse of Children Via Internet Communication Platforms

Dr Juliane Kloess (University of Birmingham), Dr Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis (University of Bath), and Professor Anthony R. Beech (University of Birmingham) (July 2017)

A summary of the results of a qualitative study examining the context in which sexual grooming occurs as part of sexually exploitative interactions with young people online. A five case series, comprising 29 transcripts of 22 interactions, were analysed using thematic analysis. These were identified and selected by the police forces involved based on meeting the criteria of the offender having committed (a) an offence of sexual grooming under Section 15 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Home Office, 2003), or (b) any other offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 that included sexual grooming.