Huddersfield University expert says: ‘Child grooming is rare - but it does happen’

Feb 9 2010 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Huddersfield University expert says: ‘Child grooming is rare - but it does happen’

CHILD grooming is rare, but it’s something a leading Huddersfield expert says parents need to know more about.

Education about internet safety for children, teenagers and their parents and carers is paramount, says Dr Bernard Gallagher, who has specialised in child protection for the last two decades.

With around four million children posting content online every day, nearly half say their parents know very little or nothing about their online activities.

A report presented to Calderdale Council’s Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel last month revealed that 89% of sexual abuse approaches are made through either chat rooms or instant messages.

The concerns come on Safer Internet Day, which is to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology including computers and mobile phones – especially among young people.

It is a European wide safety project.

Dr Gallagher, of Huddersfield University, has studied the subject for years and has conducted his own research into the issue.

He said: “It’s important for parents and carers to keep these problems in perspective – there is a problem but it’s very rare.”

Incidents of cyber bullying and child grooming online remain low and Dr Gallagher said he was surprised by research which shows almost half – 48.6% – of Huddersfield teens questioned last year said they had been bullied.

There are three main areas of concern which Dr Gallagher says parents should be aware of.

“One thing parents and carers can be most concerned about is their children being groomed – that’s where a stranger meets them online and engages with them in a bid to arrange a meeting,” he said.

“Another problem is of children coming across inappropriate images – adult pornography or child pornography which they will probably find more disturbing.

“The other main issue is cyber bullying which is perhaps the most common.

“If we take the problem of grooming, it really is quite rare.

“From the research I’ve done in this area the number of cases police and social services will be dealing with is a small handful each year of young people who have been groomed.

“Most young people who are approached say to themselves ‘I’m not happy with this’ and so stop the contact.

“But, whatever the reason, some young people do not seem to be able to stop it.”

His work in the school of human and health sciences sees him pass on his knowledge to current and future social workers, psychology and police students.