Technology Assisted Harmful Sexual Behaviour: children and young people who engage in online harmful sexual activity, 28 April 2026
A workshop that explores contemporary issues, trends and investigative considerations around Technology Assisted Harmful Sexual Behaviour (TA-HSB).
It is a growing phenomenon, which involves children and young people under 18 using the internet, mobile devices, or other technology to engage in harmful sexual activity or discussions.
These behaviours range from developmentally inappropriate actions to sexually abusive or violent ones.
They include:
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Inappropriate use of pornography, including viewing, possessing, or distributing it.
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Sexting, which encompasses the possession, making, and/or distribution of indecent images of children (whether self-produced or otherwise).
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Online sexual abuse and grooming.
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Sexual harassment in online environments.
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Sending sexual texts or other sexual messages without images.
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Exposing other children and young people to pornography.
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Image-based sexual abuse, such as using deepfake technology to create non-consensual sexual images or using consensual images for blackmail (sextortion).
Challenging and Complex
Incidents of Technology Harmful Sexual Behaviour are complex are increasing at an alarming rate and present considerable challenges for investigators.
Our workshop will provide an insight TA-HSB, the challenges, current research and insight and provide some best practice around investigative strategies.
Workshop led by Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse
The workshop will be led by the Centre of expertise on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA Centre) which is at the forefront of research and awareness of Technology Assisted Harmful Sexual Behaviour.
Our speaker Paul Burnside is Practice Improvement Advisor at the CSA Centre. He is a retired Public Protection Detective Inspector with Lancashire Police and was an Inspector on the HMIC Child Protection inspections.
He authored the first Lancashire Standard Operating procedures for child sexual exploitation, creating the first Lancashire Safeguarding Children’s Board Child Sexual Exploitation Action Plan, and the first Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) manual.
Paul works with forces to better understand their effectiveness in tackling and preventing child sexual abuse and influencing good practice. As well as this, using research and resources, Paul works with the wider team to inform national policy and response.
According to the CSA, children’s involvement in sexual behaviour through technology is complex as they will often create images of themselves consensually as part of a sexual relationship.
However, some, particularly girls, share images because of coercion, sexual extortion or trafficking. Understanding children’s exposure to and experiences of viewing pornography can improve understanding of their sexual behaviour.
Online spaces provide opportunities for constant and instant response, anonymity, and an emphasis on ‘likes, fans and followers’, which can encourage disinhibition.
Children may be particularly vulnerable to sexual harm in these environments if they are lonely or socially isolated, have special educational needs, or are seeking to understand aspects of their identity and connect with people like them.
The sexual harm of children in online contexts is often carried out by people known to the victim, such as family members, friends or acquaintances. In one study, almost a third of survivors of online sexual harm said they had been harmed by other children.
Outline of the workshop
Session One: an introduction to Technology Assisted Harmful Behaviour, the official definition and the current threat picture/trends, latest research, a look at who engages in this activity and understanding their behaviours and motivations.
Consideration of the challenges and complexities of potential criminality committed by children on their peers, including Safeguarding issues and their status within the criminal justice system.
Session Two: Consideration of the types of TA-HSB including: grooming and online solicitation, sexting, online sexual harassment, inappropriate use of pornography, possession and making or distribution of indecent images of children and potential offences committed. A look at how this sits within the context of the Online Safety Act.
Session Three: Investigative considerations and challenges relating to identification, evidence collection and preservation, volume and complexity of data, AI-generated content, anonymity and encryption, vulnerability and safeguarding and a consideration of what a successful criminal justice outcome might look like.
Who should attend?
The workshop is relevant to investigators who want to develop and enhance their understanding of TA-HSB to inform their work on the frontline.
Held online via Teams
Certificates of CPD available.
HOW TO BOOK
Cost: £209 + VAT (GBP) per delegate per workshop (LEA and Government Agency rate). £249.50 + VAT (Industry rate), per delegate
Group bookings: We offer various discounts for group bookings depending on numbers, please contact us for details.
Booking: Please send the delegates name(s), email address(es) and purchase order (made out to The Investigator) to booking@the-investigator.co.uk or telephone +44(0)844 660 8707 for further information.
Payment can be made by PayPal/debit/credit card. The meeting link will be sent out 7 days before the event.