In this chapter we outline what is known about the characteristics, vulnerabilities and on-and offline behaviour of victims of online-facilitated child sexual abuse and exploitation as these have been researched over the past decade. We begin with a summary of the main types of research that have been carried out and provide an overview of some general conclusions that can be drawn from it. We carried out our analysis through a systematic rapid evidence assessment involving a team of information specialists and researchers. (Further details are provided in the Appendix.)

Overview of retrieved studies

The 77 studies finally included for appraisal comprised quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods and technical research. Randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, case-control studies and evaluation studies are rare in the field. Primary data available to answer questions concerning the relationship between online-facilitated child sexual abuse and/or child sexual exploitation and victimisation are therefore only able to demonstrate associations. Although significant relationships may be found between characteristics (such as age or gender, sexuality or socioeconomic status) using statistical tests, these relationships are limited, first by the number of variables measured and, second, because these tests do not provide evidence of a causal relationship. Even where a characteristic or factor is statistically significant, it may not be causal. For example, a consistent finding is that girls are more likely than boys to experience OCSV, but this does not mean their biological sex causes them to be more vulnerable. In this example, we know that boys and transgender children can also be vulnerable and that girls are also more likely to be sexually abused or exploited offline (Radford et al, 2011; Finkelhor et al, 2014). The internet reflects and extends the offline world in many respects and, in this case, it is more likely to be gender relations in wider society that influence these sex differences.

Many aspects of OCSV have been studied over the past decade in several countries. Most victimisation research is conducted in the Global North, with far less being carried out in developing countries and Middle and South East Asia (see Figure 2.1).