Online Grooming - Pupil Handout College

Name: _________________________________________ Date: _________________ Year Group: _________

📊 Key Facts

The Internet Watch Foundation removed over 275,000 URLs hosting CSAM in 2024
Self-generated imagery now constitutes the majority of newly identified CSAM
Sextortion cases reported to the NCA increased 300% between 2020 and 2024
The average age of first exploitation in online grooming cases is 12
87% of CSAM identified by IWF depicts girls, though male victimisation is significantly under-reported

Sexual Offences Act 2003 — full range of child sexual exploitation offences
Protection of Children Act 1978 — indecent images; includes AI-generated content
Modern Slavery Act 2015, Section 45 — statutory defence for child victims
Online Safety Act 2023 — CSAM as illegal content; platforms must proactively remove
Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2024 — Mandatory Reporting Duty
Achieving Best Evidence (ABE) guidance — professional standards for handling disclosures

Scenario 1: A friend tells you something worrying about online grooming. What do you do?

Scenario 2: You see something related to online grooming that concerns you. What are your options?

Scenario 3: Someone you know seems to be in a situation involving online grooming. How do you respond?

Online CSEA is the fastest-growing safeguarding concern in the UK — professional awareness is essential
Self-generated imagery is now the majority of newly identified CSAM — this changes the nature of the problem
Trauma-informed disclosure practice requires specific training — not just good intentions
The referral pathway from CEOP to local authority to police is well-established and effective when used correctly
AI-generated CSAM and deepfakes require updated professional guidance — the law has kept pace, practice must too

Childline: 0800 1111 (free, 24/7, confidential)

Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111 (100% anonymous)

CEOP: ceop.police.uk (online exploitation)

Emergency: 999