Review article
https://doi.org/10.31299/ksi.28.1.5
Terminology and conceptualization of sexual exploitation of children on the internet
Lucija Vejmelka
orcid.org/0000-0002-7531-8457
; Pravni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Studijski centar socijalnog rada
Jakov Jurinić
Abstract
Rarely do any types of crime provoke as much public condemnation as sexual abuse and exploitation of children, but the question arises as to how much they are recognized and taken seriously when they take place within virtual environment. Statistics serve as a good indicator in that respect since they show that the number of reports and convictions is not proportional to the number of sanctions imposed for the respective criminal offenses. Non-uniform terminology and different operational applications of the study of the phenomenon contribute to certain confusion within the public and professional discourse in the field of sexual abuse and exploitation of children on the Internet. For this reason, the authors of this paper seek to define in more detail the forms of abuse and exploitation of and among children on the Internet which allows for deeper understanding of this form of illegal activity.
Consequently, the purpose of this paper is to clarify key concepts and notions in the field of sexual exploitation of children and youth via the Internet and to provide an overview of scientific knowledge and national statistics in the field of sexual abuse and exploitation of children on the Internet that can benefit practitioners in their daily work, scientists planning research projects in this area and, last but not least, anyone involved in protecting children’s well-being in the digital environment.
Keywords
conceptualization of cyber abuse; sexual abuse and exploitiation of children on the Internet; legislation; statistical indicators
Hrčak ID:
240233
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2020.
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