CHILD ABDUCTION THROUGH TRUST EXPLOITATION IN CHILD GROOMING

Abstract

Child grooming is a manipulative tactic employed by sexual offenders against children. It involves establishing a relationship and exploiting the trust built within that relationship to prepare for sexual abuse or to solicit sexual favors from children. The perpetrator typically seeks opportunities to be alone with the child, creating situations where they can exploit them sexually without others witnessing their actions. The process of grooming often begins with the perpetrator gaining the trust of the child through various manipulative tactics, exerting influence over their decision-making, which results in various scenarios where perpetrators find themselves alone with children through deceptive means. The application of Penal Code provisions on corrupting minors or young individuals, from Article 317 to Article 319, serves as legal measures to prosecute offenders and prevent the creation of such situations. However, the interpretation of corrupting actions by Thai courts still lacks clarity, especially in cases where there is no clear physical action, such as inducing or facilitating a child's travel or conversing with a child through online platforms. Consequently, in cases where offenders exploit relationships or seek benefits from trust to be alone with children, regardless of whether these actions directly result in physical acts, support, or facilitate private conversations, these should still be considered forms of corrupting. Criminal liability should be established for cases involving online conversations with children to seek sexual benefits from them as a form of sexual corruption against children, constituting an offense related to engaging in sexual acts with children.