The Internet is increasingly becoming the scene of crime. In addition to cyberbullying, more and more sexual crimes are taking place on the Internet, including against children. The term “cybergrooming” has become commonplace for certain offenses on the Internet that target the sexual abuse of children. When Lawyer specializing in criminal law & cybercrime and criminal defense attorney I will educate you about cybergrooming.
What is cybergrooming? Defense attorney clarifies
The word “grooming“Comes from English and means something like initiate, prepare. Grooming can therefore be understood as a strategic approach.
Cybergrooming is the initiation of contact with children via the Internet in preparation for sexual abuse.
Various social networks such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Knuddels, Snapchat or chat functions of online games are used to establish contact and gain the children’s trust.
Cybergrooming is punishable under Section 176 of the German Criminal Code
In German criminal law, the criminal liability of cybergrooming is regulated in Section 176 of the Criminal Code. Section 176 of the Criminal Code generally criminalizes the sexual abuse of children.
Pursuant to Section 176 (4) No. 3 StGB, it is a criminal offense whoever refers to a child by means of content that is contained in writing, on sound or image carriers, in data storage media, images or other embodiments, or independently of storage by means of information or Communication technology are transmitted, acts to bring the child to sexual acts or to commit certain child pornography offenses.
According to this provision, only acting on a child, ie a person under the age of 14, is punishable. From the age of 14 one speaks of adolescents.
Cybergrooming: Young people can also be the culprits
The perpetrator, on the other hand, can be any (criminal) person. The cyber-grooming perpetrator does not have to be an adult. It can also be a young person or a young person.
Act on the child via the Internet (WhatsApp, Knuddels, Snapchat, etc.)
The effect on the child must be transmitted by means of content that is contained in writing, on sound or image carriers, in data storage media, images or other embodiments, or independently of storage using information or communication technology. As a rule, the criminal offense is fulfilled via online communication in chats and apps (WhatsApp, Knuddels, etc.).
The influence can take place by means of pornographic content (e.g. sending nude pictures or so-called dick pics) or by means of non-pornographic content (e.g. chat messages with questions).
Examples of action are:
– Sending a nude picture
– Sending messages like “I want to chat, I’m 45”
The aim of cybergrooming must be child abuse
The aim of establishing contact in cybergrooming must be
– to bring the child to sexual acts which he or she is supposed to carry out on or in front of the offender or a third person or which the offender or a third person is supposed to carry out on him,
– to produce child pornographic content
– to procure child pornographic content
Success (child abuse) does not have to result in criminal liability!
Whether the intent of the perpetrator, ie child abuse, is realized is irrelevant for criminal liability. From a legal point of view, this is a so-called abstract endangering offense as opposed to a successful offense.
Acting on the child alone constitutes criminal liability!
What can victims do? Lawyer informed
You should urgently file a criminal complaint with the police. When Lawyer specializing in criminal law and defense attorney I can represent you and accompany you throughout the entire process.
Absolute discretion is a matter of course. Please do not hesitate to contact me.
Be careful when securing evidence (screenshots): your own criminal liability is imminent!
Important! When securing the evidence of cyber grooming, care must be taken if it is pictures. Depending on the content, you can possibly make yourself liable to prosecution by taking screenshots.
Do not hesitate to contact me, I will advise you comprehensively on the subject Cybergrooming und Cybercrime.
24h emergency phone: 089 523 88 0 88
More information and advice for victims of cybergrooming
Save me online (for teenagers): www.save-me-online.de
Juuuport (for young people): www.juuuport.de
Make it safe (for young people): www.make-it-safe.net
Youth Support (for teenagers): www.jugend.support
Alliance against Cyberbullying: www.buendnis-gegen-cybermobbing.de
Sexual abuse helpline (nationwide, free of charge and anonymous): 0800 22 55 530
Are you accused of cyber grooming as a perpetrator? Take lawyer!
If you are accused of sexual abuse as the perpetrator, you should immediately seek legal advice from a lawyer Criminal Law Lawyer. Talk to me, I am mainly with my law firm in Munich in Cybercrime active.
HAIDER lawyers
Erzgießereistr. 2 – 80335 Munich
089 523 88 0 88
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