Twitter chat on sexual violence against children
Parents, educational professionals and interested parties can find help and information here on how to support those affected, what to do against sexualized violence against children or how to talk about it with minors. The chat can be accessed at https://twitter.com/jugendschutznet or under the hashtags #sexualisierteGewaltstoppen and #wissenschützt.
In the run-up to the chat, we are presenting all relevant klicksafe topic areas on sexual violence against children and young people here:
Many assaults on children and young people now take place digitally. Perpetrators conceal their true identity, they take advantage of their underage victims' lack of awareness, or they use existing images to put children under pressure and blackmail them. To protect children and young people from this, they need to be educated about the perpetrators' strategies and know which safety rules to follow. In the klicksafe topic area cyber-grooming, you can find extensive information that can help sensitize children and young people to this topic.
For children and young people, the smartphone and digital communication are a natural part of everyday life - including sexual development. A typical and widespread manifestation of this is sexting, i.e. sending revealing pictures or videos. In the wrong hands, however, these recordings can cause major problems - from public exposure through unintentional publication to blackmail. Raising awareness among young people is essential to make them aware of the potential dangers and teach them how to protect themselves. Information on this can be found in the klicksafe topic area Sexting.
An important component of prevention work to protect children and young people from sexual violence is sex education. Those who know about themselves and their bodies can also define their own boundaries and defend themselves against assaultive behavior. The easy availability of online pornography encourages children and young people to come into contact with pornography at an early age and possibly on a regular basis. Not only, but especially girls are taught a role model through pornographic media that makes sexual availability seem desirable. If such role models are internalized, they can promote the initial failure to recognize sexual assaults as such. A critical examination of online pornography encourages young people to define their own boundaries in the area of sexuality and can thus protect them from sexual violence.
Perpetrators specifically seek out applications and services on the Internet that are popular with children and young people for their acts of abuse. The insecure basic settings of many platforms play into their hands. It is therefore important to configure the devices and applications that children and young people use in such a way that contact risks are excluded. For example, it should not be possible for strangers to see children's profiles or for strangers to write to or call children and young people. In the klicksafe topic area Communicating, you can find tips for the best-known online services that are popular with children and young people.
Further information
- jugendschutz.net report: Sexualized violence online
- Position paper of the independent commissioner for child sexual abuse issues
- Sexual abuse help line: 0800-22 55 530 (free of charge and anonymous)
- FAQ: Combating depictions of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of minors on the Internet
- Report depictions of sexual violence against children on www.internet-beschwerdestelle.de