Online Sexual Exploitation in Present and Future: Effective Criminal Justice Responses: Regulation of Cybercrime and Other Aspects Crimes Online

Start date: 1 June 2023
End date: 31 December 2024
Funding: Naif Arab University, KSA for Security Sciences under Grant No. NAUSS-23-R03
Value: $20,000
Primary investigator: Professor Subhajit Basu
External co-investigators: Mohamed Chawki (Naif Arab University for Security Sciences), Kyung-Shick Choi (Boston University Metropolitan College)

The expansion of digital environments, particularly the metaverse, has transformed social interaction, commerce, and communication. Yet, it has also facilitated new and complex forms of cyber-enabled sexual exploitation, posing significant challenges to legal frameworks and law enforcement agencies. Among the most pressing concerns is the proliferation of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) through decentralised platforms and cryptocurrency transactions, which complicate detection, prosecution, and sentencing. This research critically examines the evolving landscape of online sexual exploitation, assessing both contemporary regulatory approaches and the emerging threats posed by technological advancements. It investigates the legal complexities surrounding sexual crimes in the metaverse. It draws on case law and regulatory responses from the United States, the European Union, and South Korea to identify deficiencies in existing protections and propose a more robust regulatory framework. In parallel, it undertakes an empirical analysis of CSAM sentencing practices based on case data from the US Department of Justice, examining how factors such as victim age, offender typology, and prior convictions influence sentencing outcomes while also exploring the role of hierarchical agency interactions in shaping prosecutorial priorities and resource allocation. By integrating doctrinal legal analysis with empirical research, this study seeks to advance a more coherent and effective regulatory approach to cybercrime, offering targeted policy recommendations to enhance legal frameworks, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and ensure that criminal justice systems are equipped to address the evolving nature of online sexual exploitation. It contributes to the broader discourse on digital governance, balancing the imperatives of innovation, security, and justice in an increasingly interconnected world.

Publications and outputs

Choi K-S, Chawki M, Basu S. 2024. Digital Shadows: Analyzing Factors Influencing Sentencing in Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) Cases. Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research. 363-381 16.4

Chawki, M.; Basu, S.; Choi, K.-S. Redefining Boundaries in the Metaverse: Navigating the Challenges of Virtual Harm and User Safety. Laws 2024, 13, 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws13030033