Grooming is the sexual harassment of children and adolescents through digital media. It consists of actions generally carried out by adults with the intention of establishing contact for sexual purposes.
It is a crime in our country and is punishable by Law 26,904. It is incorporated into ART 131 of the Criminal Code in 2013: “It will be punished with imprisonment from six (6) months to four (4) years who, through electronic communications, telecommunications or any other data transmission technology, I will contact a minor person, with the purpose of committing any crime against the sexual integrity of the same.”
Who can be victims?
Children and adolescents who use digital media (social networks, online games, entertainment platforms, WhatsApp, etc.)
Significant changes can be observed in children and adolescents (NNA):
— Hypersensitivity: Anxiety/anguish
— Regretful mood swings
— Withdrawal, isolation, impulsiveness
— Fears, nightmares
— Sleep/eating difficulties
— Enuresis/encopresis
— Loss of interest in the environment
— Difficulty concentrating
— Decreased school performance
— Language, gestures and sexualized games
— Recurring interest in sexual aspects
— Modification of bodily behavior towards adults (head bowed, gaze avoidance, rejection)
— Mistrust towards peers and/or adults
And some specific indicators:
— Nervousness when receiving messages or browsing the internet
— Excessive angry reaction to being caught using her cell phone
— Device concealment
— Excessive need to be connected
— Reluctance to lend or give your cell phone to the adult
— Use of the device until late hours
How can it be prevented?
Be attentive to the networks used by children and with whom they link, always discuss the importance of linking only with friends, who do not accept people they do not know, who use secure passwords and do not share them with anyone. Also that they use private profiles on social networks.
That the digital identity of children and adolescents be taken care of when sharing photos or videos of themselves, even if they are our children or students. And remember that when this content is shared, it is no longer private and can go viral.
quickly.
And very important: If you received photos or videos with sexual content, do not share it, do not be part of the spread.
What to do if someone close to me is a victim of grooming?
— Do not blame or punish children
— Do not block the profile or contact
— Do not post on social networks
— Don’t delete conversations
— Do not impersonate him or her
— These actions helped to safeguard the information in order to carry out the complaint.
Within the framework of Comprehensive Sexual Education, Law 26,150, we work by providing information and providing care tools to children and adolescents according to their ages based on the following axes: Taking care of the body and health, Recognizing the gender perspective, Valuing affectivity , Respect diversity and exercise rights.
The author is a clinical and educational sexologist / Instagram: @licenciadaanaliapereyra
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