It is a crime to buy sexual photos and videos of children
It is a crime to buy sexual photos and videos of children under the age of 18. The contact between the victim and the perpetrator is usually established on different digital platforms and websites. The content is mainly shared via Snapchat and Vipps payment solution is often used for payment
The victims are usually girls between 13 and 16 years of age
These are cases that are difficult to discover as many victims do not consider themselves victims. Victims are typically girls between 13 and 16 years old and many have open social media profiles. Many of them are generally and uncritical about using the Internet. The perpetrators are mainly men. Many of them were previously known to the police, and several of them had committed sexual offenses.
This can be a big mental burden for victims
What is initially seen by children as an exciting and easy way to earn money will in some cases turn into sexual coercion or the sale of physical sexual services. This can be a huge psychological burden for the victim, says head of intelligence, Helge Haugland, in the Internet Abuse Unit.
Advice for parents:
-Talk to young people about selling nude photos and the possible consequences.
-Keep an eye on payment services and pay attention to payments from strangers.
-If you have suspicions - talk to the person.
-Be honest in what you observed.
-Remember that there may be a different explanation than you think.
-Many children do not say they are in a difficult situation for fear of punishment and the anger of their parents.
-Contact the police if it turns out that something that may be a crime has happened.
-This is especially important when there are suspicions of coercion and threats.
