Modus Operandi
The offenders gain access through intermediaries or facilitators, who sometimes can be the relatives or neighbors of the child. These intermediaries convince or coerce the child to enact sexually explicit acts in front of webcam. later an appointment and the price is fixed through email/ chat/ phone for the online abuse to take place. Online platforms like Skype, Webcam supported chat sites are used to live stream the abuse online, where the offenders view the abuse real time and direct it through chat or voice function. This is a heinous punishable crime.
- Modus Operandi: How Sexual Abuse While Live Streaming Happens
To help parents, educators, and stakeholders understand how online sexual abuse can occur through live streaming, here is a step-by-step breakdown:
1.Initial Contact Through Intermediaries
o Offenders often do not approach the child directly.
o They may use intermediaries or facilitators, who are sometimes trusted individuals like relatives, neighbors, or acquaintances of the family.
2.Grooming or Coercion of the Child
o These intermediaries convince, manipulate, or coerce the child into performing sexually explicit acts in front of a webcam.
o The child may be misled, threatened, or promised rewards to gain compliance.
3.Scheduling and Payment Arrangement
o Offenders schedule abuse appointments and agree on a price with facilitators through online chats, emails, or calls.
4.Execution via Live Streaming Platforms
o The abuse is live-streamed using online platforms such as Skype or other webcam-enabled chat sites.
o Offenders watch the abuse in real time and often direct the child’s actions using chat or voice communication features.
5.A Serious and Heinous Crime
o This practice constitutes a serious criminal offense and is punishable under various national and international laws.
o It is a form of online child sexual exploitation and demands immediate reporting and legal action.