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Law enforcement in Scotland is collaborating with international agencies to combat online gangs that coerce children, predominantly girls, into self-harming behaviors. These loosely connected groups, known collectively as “The Com,” primarily operate through gaming platforms and social media, manipulating vulnerable young users. The rise of these groups has been marked not only by cases involving sextortion and hacking but also by their encouragement of self-inflicted injury.
Detective Constable Paul, from Police Scotland’s internet investigations unit, described the daunting task of reviewing distressing images passed to them by the National Crime Agency. These materials, initially flagged by the United States’ National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, often depict graphic abuse. Paul stressed the volume and severity of such content, noting that in one case alone, investigators had to analyze nearly a thousand images suspected to involve Scottish victims and perpetrators.
The violent behavior within these groups is driven in part by a desire for status, often referred to as gaining “kudos” or clout among peers. Police investigations reveal many victims are vulnerable girls aged 11 to 17 who are exploited by predominantly male abusers. The imagery frequently features occult symbols such as Satanic sigils, used by perpetrators to appear more extreme and exert greater control over victims. Detective Chief Inspector Craig Faulds, who leads Scotland’s efforts against these groups, explained that the abuse seen represents an evolution in online child exploitation, with perpetrators targeting innocent users on seemingly harmless gaming and social platforms before moving to more private channels.
Hazel Stewart from the National Crime Agency’s Threat Leadership team characterized these groups as “low-volume, high-harm,” noting that the offenders are often socially isolated young males who find identity online and then groom vulnerable young females, sometimes from communities focusing on suicidal thoughts or eating disorders. Victims are initially befriended and supported before being coerced into escalating acts of self-harm, which may begin with minor injuries and increase over time until the individual feels trapped with no escape. The international scope of the issue has prompted cooperation among law enforcement agencies across the UK, the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Interpol, and Europol.
The Molly Rose Foundation, a suicide prevention charity, has raised alarms about the threat these networks pose to children’s online safety, with its chief executive Andy Burrows calling them “the frontline of child protection online.” Burrows criticized the UK’s online safety regulator, Ofcom, for inadequate action, highlighting the need for stronger regulatory frameworks beyond social media bans to incentivize all online platforms, including gaming and encrypted apps, to implement effective safety measures. Ofcom responded by affirming their commitment to working with law enforcement and child protection services, emphasizing that they will intervene when services fail to fulfill their obligations
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