On the Terms and Concepts Reflecting the Phenomena of Internet Communication on the Cases of Violation of Minors’ Sexual Integrity

Abstract

The article deals with the issue of the terminology used to define different phenomena of illegal sexual interaction through indirect communication – via electronic means, including the Internet. There is a certain ambiguity of some concepts and terms used in the context of sexual abuse against children and of the violation of their sexual integrity, for instance such as “sexting” and “online grooming”. At the same time the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation operates with the concepts of “sexual acts” and “lewd acts”.The author makes an attempt to bring clarity and unambiguity to the understanding of the terms used both in scientific studies, and in forensic psychological and comprehensive psychological and linguistic examinations. The presented article is debatable, invites to the discussion of the pressing issue of the language of scientific research in forensic expertise.

Keywords

• forensic analysis of information materials
• internet communication
• protection of children’s rights
• sexual acts
• lewd acts
• online grooming
• sexting