Sadistic online exploitation: five warning signs for parents – and how to keep young people safe
- Protect Children
- 6 days ago
- 1 min read
IN THE NEWS
Offenders use threats and manipulation to coerce victims to produce imagery or livestream sexually explicit acts, self-harm or animal cruelty. How can you protect your child?
Protect Children's CEO Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen was interviewed for the recent news article in The Guardian, highlighting the growing threat of sadistic online exploitation of children and how to address it.
Nina underscored complex challenges that parents of child victims navigate while also addressing the child's trauma. It is essential to provide accessible support to parents to facilitate the healing of the whole family. Check out our free supportive resources:
You Are Enough™ groups
You Are Enough™ groups are online peer support groups designed to help parents and caregivers whose children have experienced sexual violence. The groups are running in Finland, the UK, Latvia, and Ireland. https://www.suojellaanlapsia.fi/en/sina-riitat
Guide for identifying the activities of violent online communities and promoting the safety of children
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have created a guide (English) for identifying the activities of violent online communities and promoting the safety of children and young people online. Protect Children has translated and adapted the guide into Finnish and Swedish.
Spot the Signs Guide
Spot the Signs is a guide for youth on manipulation, red flags, and safety in online chats. Available in English, Finnish, and Swedish. https://www.suojellaanlapsia.fi/en/post/spot-the-signs-youth-guide
“Of course, we can teach children digital safety skills … but in the end, the guilt and shame is for offenders”. “Some parents have done everything they could have done and still their child has been a victim.” - Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen.
