The main sources of data on OCSV are research and administrative data (data collected by organisations such as the police, health, social services and charities). As with other forms of violence, these sources have varying definitions and purposes (Walby et al, 2017). OCSV encompasses a wide range of behaviours and media. In this chapter, we call for greater clarity and agreement on definitions and measurement practices. A failure to acknowledge distinctions between the different types of violence contained within OCSV is unhelpful. There is an important difference between ‘sexting’ and the videoed or photographed rape of an eight-year-old. This is not to suggest that some image and text sharing between older children is not coercive and violent, but it may have different antecedents and consequences from the rape or sexual assault of children perpetrated by carers and other adults. Improved understanding of these differences in OCSV form and context is critical to refining prevention efforts.

Defining what needs to be measured

In Chapter One we began with the ECPAT International definition of online-facilitated child sexual abuse, which provided a working definition. That is:

While helpful for general purposes, this definition does not enable critical distinctions to be made for measurement. The guidelines note that several definitions of child sexual abuse include the criteria of coercion, manipulation or force but the definition of child sexual abuse is broad. Primarily, it is concluded that: ‘[I] t is noteworthy that, when the child has not reached the age of sexual consent, there is no legal requirement to establish any of these elements.