A comparison of online and offline grooming characteristics: An application of the victim roles model

Although online and offline grooming has been researched, a direct comparison of grooming characteristics as an exploration of the interpersonal transaction between victim and offender has not been examined. This study compares the grooming characteristics of 103 victims who were targeted online (n=76) and offline (n=25). A multidimensional scaling procedure (smallest space analysis (SSA-1)) was used to explore grooming characteristics derived from a content analysis of offence transcripts found online. Canter’s (1994) victim role model was successfully applied to both groups and the findings revealed a differentiation between victim as vehicle, person and object, as it has previously identified for other sexual and violent interpersonal offences (Canter & Youngs 2012). There were some differences between online and offline groupings of characteristics when applied to victim roles, but the majority of the characteristics were consistent across the two groups. The implications of the work are discussed, as are potential areas for future research.