Child Sexual Abuse, Grooming, and the Systems That Fail Children with Andrew Carpenter
Child Sexual Abuse, Grooming, and the Systems That Fail Children with Andrew Carpenter  
Podcast: Perfect Prey: A Coercive Control Podcast
Published On: Fri Jan 23 2026
Description: In this episode of Perfect Prey, I’m joined by Andrew Carpenter, a solicitor and partner at Webster Lawyers in Australia, widely known for his work holding child sexual abuse perpetrators accountable and advocating for systemic reform.Andrew and I have a frank, uncomfortable, and deeply necessary conversation about child sexual abuse, grooming, coercive control, and the institutional failures that continue to endanger children. We explore how child predators use the same grooming tactics as coercive controllers, how technology and AI have dramatically increased access to abuse material, and why legal systems—including family courts—so often fail to protect children and the parents trying to keep them safe.This episode centers the reality that child sexual abuse is not rare, not accidental, and not a crime of opportunity—it is intentional, patterned, and enabled by silence, disbelief, and systemic blind spots.What we coverHow child sexual abuse perpetrators groom children, families, and institutionsWhy all child predators use coercive control and relational grooming tacticsThe disturbing accessibility of child abuse material onlineHow technology, AI, and social media are being weaponized against childrenWhy most abuse occurs within trusted relationships and family systemsThe failures of criminal courts and family courts to protect child victimsWhy lack of physical evidence does not mean abuse did not occurWarning signs, behavioral red flags, and changes parents should not ignoreHow shame, fear, and silence protect perpetrators—not childrenWhat meaningful prevention, accountability, and reform must addressWhy listenIf you are a survivor, protective parent, clinician, attorney, educator, or advocate, this episode provides critical insight into how child sexual abuse actually operates—and why so many children are disbelieved, retraumatized, or returned to unsafe environments. Andrew’s work exposes how deeply embedded these harms are within systems that claim to protect children, and why uncomfortable conversations are essential to change.Guest bio (short)Andrew Carpenter is a solicitor and partner at Webster Lawyers in Australia, specializing in child sexual abuse litigation and survivor advocacy. He is widely recognized for challenging institutional failures, advocating for legal reform, and amplifying survivor voices in cases where children have been silenced or ignored. His work focuses on accountability, deterrence, and systemic change to better protect children.Connect with Andrew CarpenterFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/andrewcarpentersolicitorWebsters Lawyers:https://websterslawyers.com.au/lawyers/andrew-carpenterInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/andrewcarpentersolicitor?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-carpenter-041456123/Connect with Dr. ChristineProtective Parenting Program:https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/services/for-parents/Official site:https://www.coercivecontrolconsulting.com/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@DrCocchiola-coercivecontrol/videosTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.c_coercivecontrolIf this episode landed for you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it, subscribe for more trauma-informed conversations, and consider leaving a review- it helps other survivors and protective parents find validation and safety.-Dr. Christine Cocchiola & guest Andrew Carpenter