First Evaluation of a Novel Live-Chat Service for Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

Live-chat services are increasingly used for prevention in healthcare. Systematic literature searching found them untested for preventing sexual abuse of children. Our aims were to compare anonymous cohorts using a new live-texting service or an established phoneline with the same prevention aims and drawing on the same responder pool, and explore chat qualities. In the first three months of live-chat, all 120 hours available were used. Chatters (n = 104) were significantly younger than phoneline-users (n = 985), over half of both groups help-seeking for their own inappropriate activities. Significantly fewer live-chat (49%) than phoneline-users (82%) reported any police involvement. Qualitative analysis of self-concerned chat transcripts suggested that, while psychological engagement with responders seemed unusual, 10%, returned on subsequent days and carried ideas between chats. Their core concern was of internal 'struggle', especially around self-identity, rendering some suicidal. In reaching undetected perpetrators, this first evaluation of live-chat in this context suggests greater primary preventive potential than the phoneline. As psychological engagement seems feasible, next steps should include developing engagement strategies.