Cite this article as:
Kiselev K. A. Strategies of psychological influence of online groomer on the minor victim in the situation of online sexual harassment. Izvestiya of Saratov University. Philosophy. Psychology. Pedagogy, 2023, vol. 23, iss. 3, pp. 313-317. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18500/1819-7671-2023-23-3-313-317
Strategies of psychological influence of online groomer on the minor victim in the situation of online sexual harassment
Introduction. The article is devoted to the socio-psychological phenomenon of psychological influence of online groomer on the victim in the situation of online sexual harassment. Theoretical analysis. In general, online sexual harassment refers to unwanted messages that include verbal and photo-visual information of sexual nature. It is noted that the concept of online sexual grooming is identified with this phenomenon. Empirical analysis. In the study, respondents (N=170) answered an anonymous questionnaire about online sexual grooming they had experienced when they were underage. In most cases, online groomers are adults, aware of the victim’s age, focusing mostly on the girls aged 10–12 (35.9% of cases) and 13–15 years old (44.1% of cases). Conclusion. The most significant strategies of psychological influence on the victim of online grooming include the use of flattery and compliments, as well as manipulation of such psychological features of the target of harassment as curiosity and lack of understanding of correct behavior patterns. Sexual online groomers predominantly target minors between the ages of 10 and 15. It is typical for these victims to conceal from their parents the facts of their abuse by groomers.
- Chislo sluchaev seksualnogo nasiliia v otnoshenii detey v Rossii vyroslo na 44% s 2010 goda (The number of cases of sexual violence against children in Russia has increased by 44% since 2010). Available at: tass.ru/proisshestviya/16661015 (accessed 5 May 2023) (in Russian).
- Alieva E. A. Internet as a means of performance sexual abuse. Probely v rossiyskom zakonodatel`stve [Gaps in Russian Legislation], 2017, no. 4, pp. 180–182 (in Russian).
- Medvedeva A. S. Reactions of children and adolescents to sexual online grooming. Psikhologiya i pravo [Psychology and Law], 2020, vol. 10, no. 1, pp 123–132 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2020100111
- Romanova N. M. Notions of students about risks of involvement of the person in criminal activity: Focus- group research. Izvestiya of Saratov University. Philosophy. Psychology. Pedagogy, 2018, vol. 18, iss. 4, pp. 439–444 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.18500/1819-7671-2018-18-4-439-444
- Aksenovskaya L. N., Prozorov V. V. Correlation of basic structures of literary genres and social interaction within the framework of the order approach to the social-psychological research of organizational culture. Izvestiya of Saratov University. Philosophy. Psychology. Pedagogy, 2016, vol. 16, iss. 2, pp. 176–181 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.18500/1819-7671-2016-16-2-176-181
- Barak A. Sexual harassment on the Internet. Social Science Computer Review, 2005, vol. 23, pp. 77–92. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894439304271540
- Dozortseva E. G., Medvedeva A. S. Sexual online grooming as an object of psychological research. Psikhologiya i pravo [Psychology and Law], 2019, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 250–263 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2019090217
- Sekerazh T. N. On the terms and concepts reflecting the phenomena of internet communication on the cases of violation of minors’ sexual integrity. Teoriya i praktika sudebnoiy ekspertizy [Theory and Practice of Forensic Science], 2022, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 130–136 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.30764/1819-2785-2022-1-130-136
- Nuckova E. V., Badmaeva V. D. Consequences of sexual violence and abuse on minors: Gender specifi cs. Psikhologiya i pravo [Psychology and Law], 2020, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 235–247 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2020100316
- Scarduzio J. A., Sheff S. E., Smith M. Coping and Sexual Harassment: How Victims Cope across Multiple Settings. Arch Sex Behav, 2018, vol. 47, pp. 327–340. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-017-1065-7
- Casanovas L. V.-L., Serra L., Canals C. S., Sanz-Barbero B., Vives-Cases C., López M. J., Otero-García L., Pérez G., Renart-Vicens G. Prevalence of sexual harassment among young Spaniards before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown period in Spain. BMC Public Health, 2022, vol. 22, article no. 1822. Available at: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-14264-9 (accessed 1 May 2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14264-9
- Gámez-Guadix M., De Santisteban P., Resett S. Sexting among Spanish adolescents: Prevalence and personality profi les. Psicothema, 2017, vol. 29, iss. 1, pp. 29–34. https://doi.org/10.7334/psicothema2016.222
- Kabachenko T. S. Metody psikhologicheskogo vozdeystviya [Methods of Psychological Influence]. Мoscow, Pedagogicheskoe obshchestvo Rossii Publ., 2000. 544 p. (in Russian).
- Kondratev M. Yu., Ilin V. A. Azbuka sotsialnogo psikhologa-praktika [The ABCs of the Social Psychologist Practitioner]. Moscow, PER SE, 2007. 464 p. (in Russian).
- Kloess J. A., Seymour-Smith S., Hamilton-Giachritsis C. E., Long M. L., Shipley D., Beech A. R. A Qualitative analysis of offenders' modus operandi in sexually exploitative interactions with children online. Sex Abuse, 2017, vol. 29, iss. 6, pp. 563–591. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063215612442
