Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Child Sexual Abuse via Snapchat in Gothenburg

A man in his 30s has been sentenced to seven years in prison by the Gothenburg District Court for sexually abusing children through the social media platform Snapchat. The court case involved 14 victims, with the youngest victim being only nine years old.

The perpetrator deceived some of the girls by pretending to be 17 years old to gain their trust. After receiving explicit images, he then employed threats and extortion to manipulate the victims into sending additional images. This systematic abuse through digital means was central to the conviction.

In total, the man was convicted on 11 counts of child rape committed via Snapchat. Beyond the prison sentence, the court ordered him to pay about one million kronor in damages to the victims as redress for the harm caused.

This case highlights the exploitation dangers children face through social media apps like Snapchat, where perpetrators can use deception and coercion to facilitate abuse. The Gothenburg District Court's firm sentencing and damages award send a message about the severity of these crimes and the legal consequences for offenders.

According to reports, the man’s manipulation tactics and his use of threats to pressure minors add to the gravity of the offenses. The young age of the victims, some as young as nine years old, emphasizes the critical need for vigilance and protective measures against online child exploitation.