Unusual Suspects: New campaign highlights grooming in online games

Today’s perpetrators have a new face.

41% of offenders who contact children to commit sexual crimes do so through online gambling. Using flattery, bribes, lies and nagging, offenders get children to send pictures and videos of themselves. They often use threats, sometimes leading to crimes as serious as rape. All this hidden behind an avatar.

That’s why ChildX is launching The Unusual Suspects campaign to highlight grooming in online games. We’re educating the public and parents about how groomers can hide behind game avatars, and calling for legislation to hold gaming companies accountable.

– Using flattery, bribes, lies and nagging, perpetrators get children to send pictures and videos of themselves. They often use threats, sometimes leading to crimes as serious as rape. All this hidden behind an avatar. Parents are powerless, and children are left defenseless. Gaming companies need to do more to keep children safe on their platforms and we have seen that voluntary measures are not enough – legislation is needed,” said Ida Östensson, Secretary General of ChildX.

The initiative is spread through videos, pictures and radio spots where ChildX wants to inform the public and parents about what can actually happen when your child is in their “safe space”.

See more of the campaign and read more at childx.se/unusualsuspects

The campaign was developed in collaboration with Nord DDB. Thanks also to Slutet är nära, Scream Mediabyrå and Flickorna Larsson.