Understanding Sexual Abuse While Live Streaming

Unveiling the Dark Reality

Sexual abuse while live streaming involves the live broadcast of the sexual exploitation of individuals, primarily targeting children and adolescent girls. Online predators exploit the vulnerability of young individuals in the digital realm, luring them into situations of sexual abuse through social media, chat rooms, and online gaming platforms.

Why Should We Be Concerned?

Victims of this offense endure excruciating trauma, affecting not only their mental and emotional well-being but also causing distress for their families. With the rise in cases reported across India, it's imperative to recognize and address this alarming trend.

Fact Check

Reports from Maharashtra reveal a disturbing surge in cases of child sexual exploitation and pornography during the lockdown period. The increase in demand for child porn highlights the urgent need to combat this heinous crime nationwide.

Modus Operandi

Offenders often exploit intermediaries, such as relatives or neighbors, to coerce children into performing sexually explicit acts in front of webcams. They then use online platforms like Skype and webcam-supported chat sites to live stream the abuse, directing it in real-time through chat or voice functions.

Warning Signs

Watch out for signs such as emotional reactivity, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and changes in behavior like fear, anxiety, or depression, which may indicate that a child is being victimized.

Safeguarding Measures

To protect children from sexual abuse while live streaming:

• Monitor and track your child's online activities closely.
• Educate them about online threats and empower them to say "NO" to anything that makes them uncomfortable.
• Enable security and privacy features online, and establish digital usage agreements.
• Encourage open communication and provide a supportive environment for your child to share their online experiences.

Taking Action

In case of victimization:

1. File a complaint at your nearest cybercrime police station.
2. Register an online complaint anonymously on cybercrime.gov.in.
3. Report the incident to the social media account help center.

Legal Perspective

Legal provisions under the POCSO Act, IT Act, and IPC address offenses related to sexual abuse while live streaming, prescribing punishments to ensure justice for victims and deterrence for offenders.