25-year-old charged over grooming of 68 children

A 25-year-old man has been charged with grooming and so-called sextortion involving 68 children across the country, DR reports. Red Barnet says it is seeing more cases in which adults abuse children and young people through chats and social media.

The children were aged between 11 and 14, but police have not been able to identify all of them. According to the indictment, the man contacted them through Snapchat and a chat roulette service.

Mia Winther, a psychologist at Red Barnet, said the organisation’s Slet Det counselling service was encountering more cases of this kind. She described grooming as an “unbelievably frightening phenomenon” and said even very young children could be subjected to such abuse.

The indictment alleges that the man persuaded children to perform sexual acts on themselves and, in a few cases, to do something sexual with other children. It also alleges that he watched some acts live online or later received images or videos from the children.

Winther advised parents who believe their child has experienced grooming or sextortion to remain calm, show their child care, and seek help together if they are unsure what to do. She said parents could contact the Slet Det counselling service.

The trial is due to begin on Tuesday. The man denies the charges.