Understanding grooming discourse in computer-mediated environments

A psycho-linguistic profile of online grooming conversations: A comparative study of prison and police staff considerations

“…Further, it is recommended when the aim of the research is to present a description of a phenomenon (Lambert & Lambert, 2012). This is vital within the present study that aims to address the potential academic confirmation bias (Greenwald et al, 1986) that assumes the process of developing trust with a minor is driven by deceptive intent (i.e., Black et al, 2015;Krone, 2005;Lorenzo-Dus et al, 2016;Marcum, 2007;O'Connell, 2003;Shelton, Eakin, Hoffer, Muirhead, & Owens, 2016;Williams et al, 2013;Winters, Kaylor, & Jeglic, 2017).…”

“…Taking the model of OG discourse (Lorenzo-Dus et al, 2016) into account, the current study explored whether the psychological categories from LIWC that relate closely to the processes identified by the model, would be rated as relevant in the grooming process by specialists of online child sexual abuse and exploitation (police and prison staff). Specialists' views were also sought as to the importance of deception when adults develop a relationship with minors online for sexual intent.…”

“…The psycho-linguistic properties of sixty-five chat logs from men convicted in an American Court of Law were then examined against the LIWC language categories identified as relevant by specialists. Outcomes were evaluated against the grooming processes that make up the four aspects of the entrapment phase of the model of OG discourse (Lorenzo-Dus et al, 2016). The model of OG discourse (Lorenzo-Dus et al, 2016) was considered relevant in the context of the present research as it addresses the methodological limitations of other models (i.e., O'Connell, 2003; Williams et al, 2013); whereas the model of OG discourse places unique focus on discourse used by adults engaging in OG behaviour (Lorenzo-Dus et al, 2016).…”

“…Outcomes were evaluated against the grooming processes that make up the four aspects of the entrapment phase of the model of OG discourse (Lorenzo-Dus et al, 2016). The model of OG discourse (Lorenzo-Dus et al, 2016) was considered relevant in the context of the present research as it addresses the methodological limitations of other models (i.e., O'Connell, 2003; Williams et al, 2013); whereas the model of OG discourse places unique focus on discourse used by adults engaging in OG behaviour (Lorenzo-Dus et al, 2016). Given that the present research utilized an observational approach, conducting lexical analysis of adult-child sexual chats, the model is of direct relevance in guiding its theoretical rationale.…”

Data on fantasy vs contact driven internet-initiated sexual offences: Study selection, appraisal and characteristics

“…Both real victim and decoy victim data were included. – Lorenzo-Dus et al [14] Using a Computer-Mediated Discourse Analysis approach, language –focused content analysis was carried out on chat logs. Focusing on speech acts and relational work, a new online grooming communicative model is proposed.…”