Online child sexual exploitation and abuse

The growing capacity of the Internet and digital technologies over the past thirty years has facilitated new and dynamic methods of child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA), with rapid increases seen in online activity related to child sexual abuse material, online grooming of children and livestreaming of child sexual abuse. In contrast, research, legal and clinical practices have been slower to develop and evolve, often demanding responses from systems and professionals without a solid understanding of the what, who, why and how of this diverse and dynamic crime type.

This workshop offers an overview of what is known (and not known) about online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) offending and how to work with individuals who engage in these offences, with an emphasis on child sexual abuse material offending. Participants will gain insights into the diverse range of OCSEA behaviours and the overlap and differences of those who engage in OCSEA offences compared to offline child sexual offending. The workshop will consider motivations for OCSEA offending and common personal and contextual factors that may predispose, precipitate and maintain OCSEA offending. Emerging approaches to risk assessment and intervention will be explored and areas for future research and clinical practice development considered. 

This workshop is designed for professionals working with justice-involved individuals or who wish to develop their knowledge of OCSEA and emerging evidence-based practices. If you have questions about your suitability for the workshop, please contact FMHPDP@swin.edu.au

This workshop will be facilitated by Dr Marie Henshaw.

Dr Marie Henshaw is a researcher and Clinical and Forensic Psychologist. She is employed as the Research Lead for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, which is a joint initiative between the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology, and Stop it Now! Australia (a national child sexual abuse prevention service run by Jesuit Social Services).

Dr Henshaw is the lead author of the CEM-COPE Program, an offence-specific group intervention program for people with a history of child sexual abuse material offences, which is being piloted in forensic/correctional services in Australia, Canada and Ohio. She manages a large program of research into online child sexual exploitation and abuse that aims to enhance prevention and justice responses to OCSEA. She previously worked as a Senior Practitioner at Stop It Now! Australia and as a psychologist in private practice and with Forensicare’s Problem Behaviour Program and Marrmak Program.