From governing-through-crime to governing-through ha rm: Reflecting upon a ha rm-centred
approach of online ch ild sexual ab use in Belgium
This article discusses the current approach to online child sexual abuse and why it inadequately addresses socio-technical, relational, and cumulative harms. Through a critical analysis of the dominant governing-through-crime paradigm, it illustrates why shifting toward a governing-through-harm approach offers a valuable alternative. The article draws on a literature review and qualitative data collected as part of the HORIZON Europe SALVUS Project, which consists of one online focus group and 22 semi-structured interviews with child protection professionals, law enforcement, victim support, academia, and digital rights experts. The article reviews current insights into the nature, scope and impact of online child sexual abuse, centring the role of technological developments. It then discusses the current legal framework and operational approach by law enforcement, online platforms, and stakeholders and the needs of victims during investigations. The discussion demonstrates how present-day responses prioritise detecting abuse material and prosecuting perpetrators. They insufficiently account for the broader harms that victims and their close environment experience and risk causing additional harm through intrusive investigative practices. The article considers the added value of a governingthrough-harm approach which recognizes that harms of online child sexual abuse are layered, cumulative and relational. The approach centres the needs of victims and their close environment rather than crime detection and prosecution. Ultimately, the article advocates for criminological research focused on holistically understanding these harms and needs, in order to inform a governing-through-harm approach that recognizes online child sexual abuse as a complex, socio-technical, and relational issue.