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An exploration of perceptions on online sexual grooming and solicitation in South Africa among the youth in Pretoria
Mini Dissertation (MA (Research Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2024.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613538508341248 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Visagie, Elne |
| author_browse | Visagie, Elne |
| author_facet | Visagie, Elne |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini Dissertation (MA (Research Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2024. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/100339 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:37:44.604Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/100339 An exploration of perceptions on online sexual grooming and solicitation in South Africa among the youth in Pretoria Visagie, Elne peninah.kigunda@gmail.com Arendse, Danille Elize Kigunda, Peninah Kawira UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Sexual solicitation Child sexual grooming Sexual abuse Youth Pretoria Mini Dissertation (MA (Research Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2024. Several studies have shown that child sexual abuse cases worldwide, including in South Africa, are preceded by various sexual grooming tactics and solicitation. Sexual grooming behaviours are challenging to detect as they resemble normative interactions between adults and children, highlighting the need for further research. The study used a phenomenological qualitative research design to explore adolescents’ perceptions of and experiences with online child sexual grooming. Social exchange theory served as the theoretical lens for analysing the data. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants with experience in child sexual grooming and solicitation. Eight in-depth individual interviews were conducted and analysed thematically. Six themes were identified, these includes: understanding child sexual grooming, risks and vulnerability, grooming offender characteristics and grooming strategies, experience of being groomed and social support as a coping mechanism. These findings show that participants were unaware that they were being sexually groomed and fell into sexual grooming due to their risks and vulnerability. These vulnerabilities included talking and sharing personal information with strangers, minimal parental monitoring, peer pressure, social economic circumstances, and gender. As a result of these risks, vulnerabilities and grooming strategies, participants experienced sexual abuse, emotional distress, a distorted view of love and relationships, and kept their experiences a secret while also exhibiting personal agency. Consequently, they sought and received social support from family and friends to cope with the impact of their experiences. The study findings can guide professionals working with children, including teachers and parents, to help prevent child sexual grooming and solicitation. Moreover, these findings contribute to the existing literature on child sexual grooming in South Africa. The study recommends conducting additional research using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods to further investigate sexual grooming in South Africa. Psychology MA (Research Psychology) Unrestricted Faculty of Humanities SDG-03: Good health and well-being 2025-01-28T10:09:51Z 2025-01-28T10:09:51Z 2025-04 2024 Mini Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100339 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.28254614.v1 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.28254614 en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Sexual solicitation Child sexual grooming Sexual abuse Youth Pretoria An exploration of perceptions on online sexual grooming and solicitation in South Africa among the youth in Pretoria |
| title | An exploration of perceptions on online sexual grooming and solicitation in South Africa among the youth in Pretoria |
| title_full | An exploration of perceptions on online sexual grooming and solicitation in South Africa among the youth in Pretoria |
| title_fullStr | An exploration of perceptions on online sexual grooming and solicitation in South Africa among the youth in Pretoria |
| title_full_unstemmed | An exploration of perceptions on online sexual grooming and solicitation in South Africa among the youth in Pretoria |
| title_short | An exploration of perceptions on online sexual grooming and solicitation in South Africa among the youth in Pretoria |
| title_sort | exploration of perceptions on online sexual grooming and solicitation in south africa among the youth in pretoria |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Sexual solicitation Child sexual grooming Sexual abuse Youth Pretoria |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100339 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.28254614 |