Online Child Sexual Abuse in the Gambia the Motivating Factors: Child Protection Officers’ Perspective (Case Study: Serekunda Tourism Development Areas)
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Abstract
The digital technology has positively transformed the life and living conditions of many people around the globe. However, studies have revealed some negative socio-economic, political, cultural; and environmental impacts. This case study was conducted to interrogate online child sexual abuse and exploitation in The Gambia focusing on the motivating factors, techniques, negative impacts, victims and perpetrators support services available, preventive strategies; and institutional collaboration. According to the results the genesises of online child sexual abuse and exploitation in The Gambia are multifaceted and complex but can be summarized into: bad cultural beliefs and practices, drug abuse and peer pressure, lack of awareness, economic hardship, easy access to the internet, inadequate regulatory laws and policies, lack of enforcement of regulatory laws and policies, poor parenting methods, inadequate social services and political commitment, lack of access to quality and relevant education; and lack of prosecution of perpetrators.
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Bah, Y. M. (2026). Online Child Sexual Abuse in the Gambia the Motivating Factors: Child Protection Officers’ Perspective (Case Study: Serekunda Tourism Development Areas). SIASAT, 11(2), 121-128. Retrieved from https://siasatjournal.id/index.php/siasat/article/view/263
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Zafft, C. R. (2010). Human Trafficking Team A Survey of Child Sex Tourism in the Philippines.
Ali, S., Haykal, H. A., & Youssef, E. Y. M. (2021). Child Sexual Abuse and the Internet—A Systematic Review. Human Arenas, (0123456789). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-021-00228-9
Angela, H. (2016). Global study on exual exploitation of children in travel and tourism 2016. Nature Methods, 7(6), 2016. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26849997%0Ahttp://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/jne.12374
Bracket Foundation. (n.d.). Artificial intelligence: combating online sexual abuse of children. Bracket Foundation.
Cant, R. L., Harries, M., & Chamarette, C. (2022). Using a Public Health Approach to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse by Targeting Those at Risk of Harming Children. International Journal on Child Maltreatment: Research, Policy and Practice, (0123456789). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42448-022-00128-7
Çetin, Z., & Özözen Danacı, M. (2016). A multivariate examination of the child-abuse potential of parents with children aged 0-6. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 16(66), 1–30.
Choi, E. P. H., Wong, J. Y. H., & Fong, D. Y. T. (2018). An Emerging Risk Factor of Sexual Abuse: The Use of Smartphone Dating Applications. Sexual Abuse: Journal of Research and Treatment, 30(4), 343–366. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063216672168
Davy Deanna. (2017). Regional Overview: Sexual Exploitation of Children in Southeast Asia. Ecpat International, 115.
Foundation, N. (2016). child online protection in India. วารสารวิชาการมหาวิทยาลัยอีสเทิร์นเอเชีย, 4(1), 88–100.
Fredette, K. (2009). International legislative efforts to combat child sex tourism evaluating the Council of Europe Convention on Commercial Child Sexual Exploitation. Boston College International & Comparative Law Review, 32(1), 1–44.
Kotrla, K., & Wommack, B. A. (2011). Sex Trafficking of Minors in the U . S .: Implications for Policy , Prevention and Research. Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk, 2(1), Article 5.
Maestral. (2021). Assessment of the National Response to Child Online Sexual Exploitation in Kenya using the WePROTECT Model National Response framework. (October).
Martin Hilbert. (2020). Digital technology and social change: the digital transformation of society from a historical perspective.
Michael Chertoff, T. S. (2015). The Impact of the Dark Web on Internet Governance and Cyber Security.
Pietro Ferrara. (2021). The Dark Side of the Web—A Risk for Children and Adolescents Challenged by Isolation during the Novel Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic.
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2019). Canada: A Pathfinding Country; Canada’s Road Map to End Violence Against Children. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/road-map-end-violence-against-children.html
Rogers, P., Wczasek, R., & Davies, M. (2011). Attributions of blame in a hypothetical internet solicitation case: Roles of victim naivety, parental neglect and respondent gender. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 17(2), 196–214. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552601003664869
Senker, S., Scott, M., & Wainwright, L. (2020). An Explorative Study on Perpetrators of Child Sexual Exploitation Convicted Alongside Others. Retrieved from www.iicsa.org.uk.
Stanley, J. (2001). Child abuse and the Internet Project Coordinator : Judy Adams. 1999, 1–20.
Tonmyr, L., & Shields, M. (2017). Childhood sexual abuse and substance abuse: A gender paradox? Child Abuse and Neglect, 63, 284–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.11.004
UNICEF. (2020). What Works to Prevent Online and Offline Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse? Review of national education strategies in East Asia and the Pacific. Retrieved from www.unicef.org/eap/
UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre. (2011). Child Safety Online: Global Challenges and Strategies. In Office. Retrieved from http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/ict_eng.pdf
WeProtect Global Alliance. (2021). GLOBAL THREAT ASSESSMENT 2021.
Wolak, J., Finkelhor, D., Mitchell, K. J., & Ybarra, M. L. (2008). Online “Predators” and Their Victims: Myths, Realities, and Implications for Prevention and Treatment. American Psychologist, 63(2), 111–128. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.63.2.111
Zafft, C. R. (2010). Human Trafficking Team A Survey of Child Sex Tourism in the Philippines.