Presenter Status
Fellow
Abstract Type
Clinical Research
Primary Mentor or Principal Investigator
Serena Wagoner
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
13-5-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
13-5-2026 12:15 PM
Abstract Text
Background: Currently there is a lack of published research on the role of the internet in facilitating child sexual abuse (CSA). The aim of this study was to characterize the prevalence and nature of internet-facilitated sexual abuse among children who were referred for a forensic interview (FI) due to concerns of CSA or child physical abuse (CPA).
Objectives/Goal: The aim of this study was to characterize the prevalence and nature of internet-facilitated sexual abuse among children who were referred for a forensic interview (FI) due to concerns of CSA or child physical abuse (CPA).
Methods/Design: This was a prospective study of children ages 8 to 18 years old who received a FI at one of three child advocacy centers (CAC) located in urban, suburban, and rural regions in the Midwest due to concerns for CSA or CPA from May 2024 to May 2025. Following the FI, a designated multidisciplinary team (MDT) member at the CAC completed a REDCap questionnaire with information obtained during the FI or investigation, including demographics of the child and abuser, nature of CSA (if occurring), use of internet in facilitating the abuse, mental health effects, and concerns for commercial exploitation of the child. Group comparisons were made using chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests.
Results: A total of 991 study-eligible children received a FI with full data collection completed on 575 (58%). Of the 575 children, 213 (37%) were interviewed due to concerns for CPA and 362 (63%) were interviewed due to concerns for CSA. Fifty two children (9%, 95% confidence interval = 7%-12%) engaged with the abuser online. Online engagement with the abuser occurred at similar rates when comparing rural vs suburban vs metropolitan based populations. Children who reported engaging with the abuser online were more likely to be females (p< 0.001) and between the ages of 14-18 (p< 0.001). Of the 52 children who engaged online, 51 (98%) were referred for CSA, 21 (40%) first met the perpetrator online, 44 (84%) had in-person sexual contact with the abuser, 50 (96%) were engaged using smartphones, 32 (62%) shared sexually explicit photos, and 20 (38%) shared sexually explicit videos. There was concern for commercial exploitation of the child in 21% of cases. This was statistically significant when compared to the non-internet group (3%, p< 0.001). The use of parental controls on devices was unknown in 84% of cases. Those who reported online engagement with the abuser endorsed mental health effects of self-harm (p< 0.001), suicide attempts (p=0.023), depression (p=0.027), and anxiety (p=0.003) at higher rates than those who did not engage online.
Conclusions: Children who engage with abusers online may be a specific subset of CSA victims with unique risks and opportunities for prevention. This study highlights areas to target for prevention efforts.
Internet Facilitated Child Abuse in the Midwest
Background: Currently there is a lack of published research on the role of the internet in facilitating child sexual abuse (CSA). The aim of this study was to characterize the prevalence and nature of internet-facilitated sexual abuse among children who were referred for a forensic interview (FI) due to concerns of CSA or child physical abuse (CPA).
Objectives/Goal: The aim of this study was to characterize the prevalence and nature of internet-facilitated sexual abuse among children who were referred for a forensic interview (FI) due to concerns of CSA or child physical abuse (CPA).
Methods/Design: This was a prospective study of children ages 8 to 18 years old who received a FI at one of three child advocacy centers (CAC) located in urban, suburban, and rural regions in the Midwest due to concerns for CSA or CPA from May 2024 to May 2025. Following the FI, a designated multidisciplinary team (MDT) member at the CAC completed a REDCap questionnaire with information obtained during the FI or investigation, including demographics of the child and abuser, nature of CSA (if occurring), use of internet in facilitating the abuse, mental health effects, and concerns for commercial exploitation of the child. Group comparisons were made using chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests.
Results: A total of 991 study-eligible children received a FI with full data collection completed on 575 (58%). Of the 575 children, 213 (37%) were interviewed due to concerns for CPA and 362 (63%) were interviewed due to concerns for CSA. Fifty two children (9%, 95% confidence interval = 7%-12%) engaged with the abuser online. Online engagement with the abuser occurred at similar rates when comparing rural vs suburban vs metropolitan based populations. Children who reported engaging with the abuser online were more likely to be females (p< 0.001) and between the ages of 14-18 (p< 0.001). Of the 52 children who engaged online, 51 (98%) were referred for CSA, 21 (40%) first met the perpetrator online, 44 (84%) had in-person sexual contact with the abuser, 50 (96%) were engaged using smartphones, 32 (62%) shared sexually explicit photos, and 20 (38%) shared sexually explicit videos. There was concern for commercial exploitation of the child in 21% of cases. This was statistically significant when compared to the non-internet group (3%, p< 0.001). The use of parental controls on devices was unknown in 84% of cases. Those who reported online engagement with the abuser endorsed mental health effects of self-harm (p< 0.001), suicide attempts (p=0.023), depression (p=0.027), and anxiety (p=0.003) at higher rates than those who did not engage online.
Conclusions: Children who engage with abusers online may be a specific subset of CSA victims with unique risks and opportunities for prevention. This study highlights areas to target for prevention efforts.
