The Digital Dimension: Victim's Experiences of Technology's Impact on Penetrative Child Sexual Abuse

Research comparing penetrative technology-assisted child sexual abuse (TA-CSA) and penetrative child sexual abuse (CSA) is limited. Existing studies indicate similarities among victims and the consequences of their abuse. This study investigates the experiences of victims of penetrative TA-CSA and penetrative CSA, examining their sociodemographic characteristics, the nature of the abuse, and mental health and psychosocial consequences. Data was derived from the German Sexual Abuse Telephone Helpline between 2020 and 2023, with information gathered anonymously during calls with the caller's consent. The sample consisted of N = 302 callers reporting experiences of penetrative CSA or penetrative TA-CSA. Exact Chi-Square tests and Mann-Whitney-U tests were used to compare both groups in terms of demographics, characteristics of the abuse, and reported consequences. Logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the relationship between consequences and technology use. Results show that penetrative TA-CSA is objectively associated with more severe abuse circumstances, including multiple perpetrators, higher frequency of abuse, and earlier age of onset. The latter contributed to the specific consequences being reported by victims. No differences in terms of gender, living environment, or education were found between both groups. While the involvement of technology in penetrative abuse is related to its severity, it does not directly affect reported consequences. Future research should further examine the nuanced impact of technology use.