00:00ASP Leith Jones of the Special Victims Department says children are increasingly being exposed to sexual abuse material online and
00:08may also be targeted for grooming.
00:10He is urging parents to monitor their children's devices, chats and interactions.
00:16We have to also be aware, and this is very much so for the parents, to be aware of child
00:23sexual abuse material that is gaining in popularity.
00:40Police say parents should also monitor children's online discussions and chats for signs that they may be victims of abuse
00:48or being groomed.
00:49Jones says that changes in a child's behavior could also indicate that something is wrong.
00:57A child's mood. That change in behavior sometimes reflects in their performance at school.
01:06It reflects in their behavior. They may appear to be more aggressive. It may even come across as a type
01:12of bullying.
01:14Sometimes we see some children becoming more secretive.
01:17Other warning signs include unexplained injuries, frequent nightmares, bedwetting in children who have passed that developmental stage, excessive cleanliness and
01:28unexplained fear of particular people or places.
01:32Jones said parents should take particular notice when a child suddenly becomes distant from someone with whom they were previously
01:39comfortable.
01:39We want to look for a divergence in behavior as well.
01:43There may be a person who the child may have been attached to and they are now somewhat distant or
01:48seem to be fearful of being in company with that person.
01:50That is a flag as well that we want to address.
01:53Police are also warning parents to exercise caution when introducing new partners into a household where children live.
02:00Jones said parents should observe how the adult interacts with the child, including how the person looks at, touches and
02:07behaves towards them.
02:10Alexander Bruce Wall, TV6 News.
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