FRC member Nadine El-Dekmak published a new blog on Human Rights Here Blog on trauma bonding in human trafficking and child sexual abuse crimes.
The blog post presents part of the research Nadine conducted in the context of the HEROES project.
Abstract
In recent years, advancements in technology have led to significant changes in criminal activities, particularly in online human trafficking and child sexual abuse. Predators now exploit AI, social media platforms, and other online avenues to groom and coerce victims into sexual activities while hiding behind digital screens (InHope, 2022). These crimes, whether committed online or offline, have severe consequences, especially when victims are children, violating both human and children's rights. In some cases, a psychological phenomenon called trauma bonding occurs between perpetrators and victims. This bond develops as a result of prolonged exposure to abuse and manipulation, leading victims to form complex emotional attachments to their abusers. In this post, we will explore trauma bonding and its occurrence in online child sexual abuse and trafficking crimes in order to give an overall understanding of this concept that would allow all stakeholders to constantly evolve their responses towards victim-oriented assistance.
Acknowledgment
This work was supported by the HEROES project. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101021801. The content of this article does not reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the authors.