Criminal law and Policy: A case study of Legal Loopholes in Online Sexual Harassment
Keywords:
Online Sexual Abuse, Criminal Law, Criminal Policy, Victim Protection, Digital SocietyAbstract
This research article aims to analyze the legal gaps and criminal policy limitations in Thailand's response to online sexual abuse. The study examines structural factors within the criminal justice system that affect the protection of victims and compares legal frameworks and protective mechanisms in selected foreign jurisdictions, namely the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Republic of Singapore. The objective is to propose policy recommendations for improving victim protection systems in a manner consistent with the contemporary digital society. The research employs documentary analysis and qualitative comparative research methods.
The findings indicate that Thai criminal law continues to focus primarily on conduct occurring in physical settings, while the protection of victims in digital environments remains inadequate. Specific legal provisions emphasizing the principle of consent are lacking, and existing measures rely heavily on computer-related crime legislation, which is primarily intended to safeguard state security rather than protect individual rights. From a policy perspective, there is also an absence of effective mechanisms for the rapid removal or restriction of harmful online content. In contrast, the jurisdictions examined have developed legal frameworks and institutional mechanisms that prioritize victims' rights and provide prompt and effective responses to harms occurring in digital media environments.
The study proposes the following recommendations: (1) the enactment of specific legislation addressing online sexual offenses; (2) the establishment of a specialized agency with authority to order the suspension or removal of harmful content; (3) the creation of one-stop service centers to provide comprehensive assistance to victims; and (4) the enhancement of investigators’ technological competencies, particularly in relation to the collection and examination of digital evidence.
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