In recent years, access to screens and the Internet has become more democratized than ever, allowing everyone and from any location to surf the web. However, An increasingly connected society also means an ever-increasing presence of people with bad intentions, especially towards the youngest. The latter, never without their cell phones and very present on social networks, quick to reveal every detail of their lives, are in fact prime targets for people like child criminals, who today have much easier access to their profiles. . The case of the pedophiles in Orléans, which is reminiscent of the details given by Joë Le Scouarnec in his diary, is one of the most representative examples, and calls into question the methods used. All of them, including some suspected of rape, used at least one method in common: that of “grooming”.
“Grooming”: the art of pretending to be a teenager of the same age as the victim
The entire art of “grooming”, also called in French “pedopiégeage”, is based on the bond of trust established between the child criminal and the victim. The end goal? Isolate the child or adolescent, obtain photos or request a meeting so that the abuse can be carried out. As Child Helpline International (GSMA), a global network of 173 child helplines in 142 countries, explains: “Part of the ‘game’ here is for the offender to gain this trust by trying to isolate the young person from family and friends to create a sense of dependence on them. Isolating the young person from his or her friends and associates is a common tactic used by offenders to exercise power and control over their victims.”
The “grooming” tactic is generally carried out in several stages. The first consists of choosing your target carefully, and evaluating the characteristics of the child or adolescent (self-confidence, self-esteem, problems, etc.), as well as their environment., both online and in real life. Once this is done, they use other “usual methods”, as the GSMA indicates: “Offering advice and caring, buying gifts, sharing secrets”but also attention and compliments.
Practices punished by law
Once a relationship of trust has been established, child criminals then begin to talk about sexuality with their victim. They also ask for content (photos, videos) from them, and make sure they feel trapped so as not to escape. (by sending money, by threatening to reveal the videos, etc.) Punished by law, and defined by article 227-22-1 of the Penal Code, this method is punishable by a sentence of two years in prison. imprisonment and a fine of 30,000 euros. And since it’s easy for children to fall victim to these kinds of traps on the Internet, it is important to raise their awareness, and to remember that platforms exist to report this type of prohibited and dangerous exchange. (Contact Point or the Pharos website).