The Investigation and Prosecution of Online Child Sexual Exploitation in Vietnam

This research project focuses on identifying the challenges the Vietnamese police force faces in the investigation and prosecution of online child sexual exploitation (OCSE). By examining the performance of the police force in investigating and prosecuting the crime, analysing the current national OCSE law, available OCSE data, and police response structure, the research identified the gaps in the law, the unsuitable police organisation, and limitations in cooperation between OCSE units with other agencies which limit the force in performing the investigation and prosecution of the crime. The research was conducted with the guidance of qualitative multi-methods including documentary research, thematic analysis, and semi-structured interviews with OCSE police investigators in three locations. In doing so, the thesis presents an empirical understanding of the investigation and prosecution practices of OCSE-related crimes. OCSE in Vietnam is a greatly under-reported crime that suffers from a lack of wider public and political attention. As a result, a range of issues such as cultural and social issues, bureaucracy, low technology, overload works and limited budget impact negatively the awareness of the crime, the law development, which leads to ineffective investigation and prosecution. Particularly, the legal frameworks that surround OCSE in this country fall behind international standards and fail to protect the vulnerable individuals and communities at risk. The findings speak to the legal challenges and the impact that this has on the structural organisation and operation of law enforcement agencies. As the thesis undercovers, investigations into OCSE in Vietnam involve up to five agencies working simultaneously; a problem that creates as many gaps as it does duplications. The lack of an aligned approach not only undermines accountability in the police, but it also fails the victim-survivors and those at greater risk. Findings, therefore, support the recommendations for amending and building strong legislation with the suggestion of building an OCSE definition and criminalising OCSE-related activities in the law. The proposal in reforming the police force within social and cultural contexts with an Online Child Sexual Exploitation Task Force would ease the Police Force in building and carrying out a comprehensive plan for education about, prevention, and investigation of the offence in the country.<p></p>