Factors contributing to online child sexual abuse in Bangladesh: A qualitative inquiry

TL;DR

This study explores why children in Bangladesh face online sexual abuse, finding that poor internet literacy is a major cause.

Contribution

The study identifies inadequate internet literacy as a novel leading cause of online child sexual abuse in Bangladesh.

Findings

Children in both rural and urban areas reported experiencing various forms of online sexual abuse.

Inadequate internet literacy was found to be a leading cause of online child sexual abuse (OCSA).

Abstract

Background: Children globally, including in Bangladesh, are facing various forms of online sexual abuse including sextortion, exploitation, body shaming, and blackmail. They are also coerced into engaging in intimate activities, harassed through the sending of sexual content, among other forms of abuse. We aimed to explore the root cause of online child sexual abuse (OCSA) in Bangladesh. Methods: This qualitative research design utilized in-depth interviews (IDIs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) between February and April 2022. The study sample comprised 21 school-going children aged 13−17 years, selected from two different geographical settings (10 from rural areas and 11 from urban areas) in Bangladesh using purposive sampling techniques. They participated in in-depth interviews (IDIs) while additional data was obtained through key informant interviews (KIIs) with 11 multidisciplinary stakeholders. Results: Children from both rural and urban areas reported facing abuse in various ways, such as being asked to send naked photos, being invited to be naked in video calls, and being invited to have virtual sex, among others, over the internet. Conclusions: We found inadequate internet literacy is a leading cause of OCSA. The causes of OCSA reported in this study is a serious public health concern in Bangladesh.

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