Northern Ireland Child Online Safety Campaign
Online Child Sexual Abuse: PSNI Warns of Rising Cases and Launches New Campaign
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has issued a stark warning about the increasing prevalence of online sexual offences against children, revealing alarming statistics and launching a new campaign to raise awareness and protect young people.The PSNI’s Child Internet Protection Team is dedicated to investigating these crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice.
Shocking Statistics Highlight the Scale of the Problem
the PSNI’s recent figures paint a disturbing picture of the online threats facing children in Northern Ireland:
2,187 sexual offences against children where recorded in 2024.
187 of these offences involved grooming and sexual communication with a child.
799 offences related to the taking, possessing, sharing, or publishing of indecent images of children.
120 searches were conducted in 2024, uncovering tens of thousands of indecent images of children. Thousands of devices were seized as evidence.
43 arrests were made as a result of these searches.
these statistics underscore the urgent need for increased vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard children online.
High-Profile Cases expose Grooming Tactics
The PSNI highlighted cases like that of Cimarron Thomas,who committed over 180 offences relating to child abuse,and Max Hollingsbee from Lurgan in Co Armagh,who was jailed in May for a litany of online sex offences against underage girls. These cases demonstrate the devastating impact of online grooming and exploitation.
Hollingsbee’s case,in particular,serves as a chilling example of how predators use deception to target vulnerable children. He was sentenced for online sex offences against underage girls,highlighting the real-world consequences of online interactions.
One of Hollingsbee’s victims, identified as Immy, is bravely supporting the PSNI campaign, sharing her personal experience to encourage other young people to speak out.
“I think more young people should know that not everyone online is who they say they are,” Immy said.”What happened to me should never happen to you,but if it does – speak out. The police can and will help you. As a child or teenager, you’re not going to be thinking rationally in that situation. I wasn’t.”
Immy’s message of hope and resilience is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible. “A trusted adult or the police will know what to do to keep you safe. I have been to therapy and am taking steps to tackle my anxiety. I start university soon. It does get better.”
How Groomers Operate: A Warning for Parents and Children
The PSNI has outlined the common tactics used by online groomers, emphasizing the importance of understanding these methods to protect children:
Concealing Identity: Groomers frequently enough hide their true identity online, pretending to be the same age as the child.
Fake Profiles: They use fake profile pictures and create false personas to gain trust.
Shared Interests: Groomers feign similar interests to build rapport and establish a connection with the child.
Manipulation and Control: Onc trust is established, they use power, blackmail, guilt, or trickery to manipulate the child into doing what they want.
* Online Sexual Activity: They may persuade a child to engage in online sexual activity, including sharing explicit images and videos, and livestreaming sexual acts.
The Law and the PSNI’s Commitment
The PSNI emphasized that possessing, making, distributing, or showing anyone an indecent image of a child under 18 is a crime, nonetheless of whether the perpetrator is an adult or a child. It is indeed also a crime for an adult to send a sexually explicit image of themselves to a child.
The PSNI’s Child Internet protection Team is dedicated to investigating these crimes and bringing offenders to justice. They use specialist technology to examine digital devices and trace digital interactions, making it difficult for offenders to hide evidence.
“If a person is downloading, viewing or making indecent images of children, you are leaving a digital footprint and we are actively looking for you,” the PSNI stated.
What to Do If You Suspect Online Child Abuse
The PSNI urges anyone who suspects online child abuse to report it immediately. You can contact the PSNI directly or report anonymously through Crimestoppers.Protecting children online is a shared obligation. By raising awareness, educating young people, and working together, we can create a safer online environment for all