The profile of child sex offenders in Moldova, their mode of operation, including online, existing stereotypes and prejudices that influence the way we perceive the credibility of the child or the perpetrator were discussed at a roundtable organized on 4 July by the International Center La Strada with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Moldova.
The participants, including legal practitioners (prosecutors, judges, lawyers), representatives of public institutions and authorities, psychologists and academia addressed the main findings and challenges of the criminal process, as well as recommendations to improve the response of professionals to these cases.
The event was organized in the context of work on the first national exploratory study in the field of online child sexual abuse and exploitation, which aimed to analyze to what extent existing stereotypes about child sexual abuse and exploitation affect the investigation and examination of these cases.
This study represents a first attempt to identify the personal and behavioral characteristics of sex offenders who commit child abuse, in order to provide information support for psychologists who work in prisons and have the opportunity to address these characteristics in individual sessions with convicted persons.
It happens at a time when “online sexual abuse and exploitation of children is a phenomenon little known by Moldovan specialists, which causes great challenges in the investigation, intervention or assistance of victims,” according to Elena BOTEZATU, Executive Director of the International Center La Strada, who spoke in her presentation about the situation of online child sexual abuse and exploitation in Moldova, the identified prejudices, the participants’ role in the investigation of cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as about assignment of responsibilities.
The authorities that carry out the act of justice recognized that, in the absence of qualitative data describing the mode of operation of sex offenders, the impact of the trauma of online sexual abuse and exploitation on the child and his behavior in the criminal process, the response of the justice and protection system may be insufficient. “There is not enough information to justify the appropriate approaches in the programs aimed to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation of children, and even less correctional and re-socialization programs for sex offenders,” the justice professionals said.
Psychologists confirm that stereotypes and prejudices regarding child victimization and responsibility assumed in cases of sex crimes lead to a superficial approach to cases, which often subjectively favors abusers. “Stereotypes also create barriers in the early identification of sexual abuse of children and in ensuring prompt reaction, focused on the interests of the child victim,” says Tatiana TURCHINA, psychologist, university lecturer, head of the Continuing Education Department, Moldova State University. The speaker outlined the profile of sex offenders in Moldova, providing their personality characteristics, mode of operation, the profile of aggressors who use technologies to commit crimes, etc.
Participants in the event also discussed the challenges of hearing child victims/witnesses of sexual abuse and exploitation in special conditions, taking into account research findings and the shortcomings identified by the Prosecutor General’s Office.
The event was organized as part of a large project to strengthen the capacities of Moldovan professionals in the field of combating online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, implemented by the International Center La Strada, financially supported by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau.