Study reports boys suffer worst online sex abuse

Beh Lih Yi of the Thomson Reuters Foundation reports on a study partnered by Interpol and ECPAT International that shows boys are more likely than girls to suffer the worst online sexual abuse. According to Yi, ‘Although girls account for two-thirds of the victims, the latest study said online images or videos depicting boys, including very young children, often involve more severe abuse, such as sadism and other forms of sexual assault.’ In its announcement of the study, Interpol highlighted the high percentage of prepubescent victims; the high priority of identifying offenders; the high proportion of material which was both abusive and exploitative; the challenge of determining core characteristics of victims; and the roles of women and youth among other important points.