Parent sought support from ISPCC after child was being groomed online

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Robin Schiller

A concerned parent contacted a national child protection charity for support after discovering that their child was being groomed by an online paedophile ring.

The worrying case was highlighted in the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's review this year.

In July 2016, the ISPCC undertook a case review of the cyber issues that the charity encountered from children, young people and families in the previous 18 months.

Grooming was highlighted as a prime concern for parents calling the ISPCC support line.

According to the charity, one particular case saw a parent phone the service for support after they were made aware that their child was being groomed by an online paedophile ring.

Certain cases also highlighted the 'sextortion' of children, which refers to a broad category of sexual exploitation which in certain instances is marked by the threat of public humiliation.

In some cases, young people are sometimes blackmailed for money or coerced into sexual acts in desperate attempts to stop a perpetrator from sending their personal images to others.

ISPCC chief executive Grainia Long stated: "Evidence from our services shows the scale and nature of online activity by children and young people, and how much work is needed to keep them safe online."

The ISPCC will today hold a conference at Dublin Castle.