The field of child protection and mental health has increasingly recognized the significant impact of technology-assisted child sexual abuse (TA-CSA) on victim-survivors. A recent report from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC, 2021) revealed a 70% increase in online sexual grooming offenses since 2018, highlighting the growing prevalence of this issue. The National Crime Agency has further identified TA-CSA as a major threat area in the UK, yet there remains limited empirical research that adopts a victim-survivor-centered approach. Current studies have primarily focused on the mechanisms of abuse and offender behavior, leaving a critical need for research that delves deeper into the psychological impact and outcomes following TA-CSA on children and young people. The unique nature of TA-CSA, which often involves the recording and sharing of abuse, adds layers of complexity to the experiences of victims, necessitating a more nuanced understanding and tailored support mechanisms.

This Research Topic aims to present and showcase current work undertaken in this area to provide an overview of existing knowledge and understanding of this phenomenon. It is hoped that this will inform research and practice endeavors, further practitioners’ knowledge and understanding, and thereby improve the quality of care and support given to victim-survivors following experiences of TA-CSA across multiple sectors, including education, policing, social and health care, and the criminal justice system. We are looking for and are interested in submissions from academics, researchers and/or practitioners related to this area, and welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

● Psychological and emotional impact associated with TA-CSA

● Effective therapeutic interventions and support strategies

● The role of technology in both facilitating abuse and providing support

● Comparative studies between TA-CSA and sexual abuse in the physical world

● Policy and practice implications for key stakeholders across multiple sectors (e.g., education, policing, social and health care, and the criminal justice system)

● Case studies

● Prevention initiatives and strategies aimed at reducing TA-CSA (e.g., school-based programs)

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Frontiers in Psychology

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Impact